Belford aims to triumph on his return to old stomping ground - The Stratford Observer

Belford aims to triumph on his return to old stomping ground

Stratford Editorial 5th Mar, 2020   0

DALE BELFORD has been a Tamworth trophy winner and former managerial saviour but he expects his past exploits will be forgotten when he returns to the Lamb on Saturday with Stratford Town.

Having joined boss Paul Davis last month, the Town assistant manager has helped a Stratford revival in Southern Premier Central season as they bid to keep their step three status.

Town will be heading to the team he believes are firm favourites to win the league, with Tamworth top of the table.

As a goalkeeper, Belford won the FA Vase with Tamworth in 1989, played for the club across four decades, then managed them and steered them to Conference safety, while dad Buster has been the Lambs’ long-serving kitman.




But Belford expects the Lambs supporters to treat him as the enemy for 90 minutes on Saturday and he would not expect anything different.

“I always enjoy going back. My best football stories and memories are of Tamworth,” he said.


“It’s a club that’s a massive part of mine and my family’s life and I want to see them do well.

“I’ll probably get some stick this weekend as I did when I came back with Nuneaton. That’s football and I have no issues with the home fans getting behind their team. Hopefully it’ll be in the right spirit.

“I expect that stick and will deal with it.”

Stratford had been unbeaten in three games, with wins against Biggleswade and Redditch to follow a draw with Hitchin before they fell to a 2-0 defeat at Lowestoft two weeks ago.

But Davis hopes the players will have used the fortnight to focus at being their very best to face Tamworth, whose management team also include former Town boss Thomas Baillie.

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