BROMSGROVE Sporting boss Paul Smith has labelled the signing of red-hot striker Luke Shorthouse as a big ‘signal of intent’ from the club.
A delighted Smith told the Standard he had been keeping a close eye on the former Nuneaton Town striker for the past two seasons before finally persuading him to join Sporting’s promotion push.
And Shorthouse joins the club with an impressive goal tally to his name in recent times.
He scored 44 goals in 51 games for league rivals Nuneaton Griff last season and could be in line to make his Sporting debut against them tomorrow (Saturday) when the teams take on each other in the third round FA Vase encounter.
The impressive goal tally led him to sign for Nuneaton Town but he soon left there for Coleshill Town where he has continued his scoring form this season.
But now he is ready to help Bromsgrove’s bid for promotion glory and Smith said the deal was a ‘coup’ for the whole club.
“Securing the services of Luke Shorthouse is a tremendous signing for this football club and is a signal of intent,” he said.
“On the back of losing Tony Clark and Chris Conway being suspended for three months it was important we bought some strikers in.
“It’s no secret I haven’t been happy with our scoring record in recent weeks and it is a big coup getting Shorthouse to sign for us.
“He has already brought into my long term plans, the structure and the fan base. I’m delighted to have him on board.”
After securing his deal, Shorthouse tweeted: “Really looking forward to getting started with the club, and so glad to be on board.”
The deal to sign Shorthouse came just days after the club announced Andy Nicol was returning to the Victoria Ground for a second spell.
Last week Smith called for a reaction after Bromsgrove dropped two points with a disappointing 1-1 draw at home to Stafford Town.
And a reaction is what he got as his side returned to winning ways in emphatic style with a 4-0 win against Heath Hayes.
“It was a good and much-needed performance,” Smith added.
“That’s the kind of performance I expect and I deserve. The players played to the standard they need to be playing at week in and week out.
“When they play like that as a group they will get results and that’s what they did.”
Bromsgrove Sporting make history on Saturday when they play in the third round proper for the first time against Nuneaton Griff.
“It’s a brilliant cup competition and this is the furthest round we’ve ever got to,” Smith said.
“We now want to get even further and it is a winnable tie for us against Nuneaton. We’re all looking forward to it.”
