Olympic coup as Adebola opts in

Rushall Olympic have pulled off a major coup on the eve of the new Evo-Stik Northern Premier League campaign with the signing of experienced striker Dele Adebola.

Adebola, 38, kicked off his career at Crewe and went on to make more than 500 Football League appearances for Birmingham City, Burnley, Bradford, Bristol City, Crystal Palace, Coventry City, Hull, Nottingham Forest and Notts County.

The striker, who signed on Thursday after playing for the Premier Division’s Pics in pre-season, was on loan at Wrexham last term and is pictured with manager Neil Kitching and Vice-Chairman Nick Allen. Along with a number of other new arrivals at Dales Lane in recent days, Adebola could make his home debut on Saturday when the Pics kick off the new season against promoted Skelmersdale United.

Kitching’s top summer target Matty Wood could well figure. The pacey left-back signed on for the campaign after last Saturday's 1-1 draw at home to Conference North outfit Worcester City.

Midlands-based Wood, 24, made more than 150 appearances for league rivals Witton Albion after arriving at Wincham Park in the summer of 2011. He has been selected in the Evo-Stik NPL's Premier Division 'Team of the Year' in the last two seasons and was an integral part of Albion’s successful campaign last term when they finished fourth to make the play-offs.

Kitching’s other impressive signings include former Stourbridge goalkeeper Lewis Solly, who will provide competition for Chris Gemmell. Striker Craig Bannister is also back at Dales Lane after a couple of serious injuries threatened his career, along with Luke Bottomer and the experienced Jimmy Turner.

After tomorrow’s visit from Skem the Pics embark on successive away trips to newly promoted King's Lynn Town on Tuesday and Frickley Athletic next Saturday.