Thomas: Champions can reach EFL

Signed after spending his whole career with the Stags and making 53 appearances before being released this summer by the League Two club, the 22-year-old box-to-box midfielder believes last season's EVO-STIK League South champions have got what it takes to reach the professional ranks.

Pictured relaunching his career Greenwich Avenue after signing in time for Saturday's big kick-off to the Northern Premier League, Thomas backed Basford to climb three steps of football's pyramid to join Nottinghamshire's three clubs in the EFL in an interview with the Mansfield Chad on Wednesday.

Thomas said: “I needed a change and it’s a good project at Basford. They have high ambitions and I am looking forward to it. I believe in a few years time Basford could be a Football League club. I think we can do it and I’d love to be part of that journey.”

He added: “I know the club see this as a season of consolidation. But without setting too high a target, with the squad we’ve got we could definitely get into the play-offs.”

Basford United boss Martin Carruthers completed the signings of Thomas and Greg Tempest on Saturday after both midfielders played in the bulk of his side's pre-season programme.

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