Safe hands for hire

Keeper Ashley Timms is offering a safe pair of hands to the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League's clubs after his release from Ilkeston on Monday.

The 26-year-old former Manchester City stopper, pictured, is a free agent and on the lookout for a new club after his contract at the Evo-Stik NPL Premier Division Robins was cancelled by 'mutual consent'.

Timms, who admits to a chequered past after being jailed for a banking scam in 2011, insists he's got his life back on track since winning early release and signing a 12 month contract at the New Manor Ground in July 2012.

He said: "I'm very excited now I'm free agent it now gives me options I didn't have before and I've already been approached by a couple teams in the Blue Square. Things just didn't work out at Ilkeston but that's football.

"I'm now hopefully going to move on and be playing to my full ability. My past has really not helped me but I want people to judge me on footballing ability. If they do then they have a good keeper on ther hands."

Ilkeston manager Kevin Wilson, whose side are at home on Monday to Eastwood Town in the Third Round of the Doodson Sport Cup, said: "He wants to play football and we wish him all the very best for the future."

Apart from playing 100 plus games for City's youth and reserves, Timms has turned out for Bolton Wanderers, Fulham, Norwich, Cambridge City, Shrewsbury, Barrow, Solihull Moors and Wakefield.