Wrexham`s Latest Signing Comes Off The Bench Late On Saturday

Simon Ainge came off the bench late on to make his Dragons debut.

The experienced player has enjoyed a change of outlook in his career, switching from stopping goals to being right at the heart of scoring them.

Ainge joined National League North promotion-chasers Harrogate Town from Yorkshire rivals Bradford Park Avenue in the summer of 2016 and made a big impact at The CNG Stadium.

Ainge was placed straight into the heart of Town’s defence and captained the side on multiple occasions, although it was his switch further up the pitch towards the end of 2016 that really caught the eye.

Better known as a centre-half, the former England C man was thrown into the forward line when boss Simon Weaver had an injury crisis. They didn’t look back with Ainge boasting a remarkable 33 goals in the calendar year of 2017.

It’s an even better ratio when you consider he spent over three months out with a groin injury!

The former Bradford City man was even named the league’s player of the month in February 2017, before committing his future to the club when signing a two-year deal last May.

Brought through the ranks at Bradford City, where he went onto play eighteen times before moving across the city to sign for Park Avenue in 2009 and then onto then Northern Premier League rivals Guiseley AFC, helping the Lions to promotion and establishing them in the Conference (National League) North during his three-year stay.

These performances and appearances for England C against both Russia under-23s and Belgium under-23s, must have impressed Luton Town, who signed him initially on loan in late 2012 and then full time in the following January.

A change of manager at Kenilworth Road saw him leave for fellow Conference Premier side FC Halifax Town in the summer of 2013 and eighteen months with the Shaymen. Then he returned to Bradford Park Avenue in January 2015 - then a Conference North club.

A further move to Harrogate eighteen months ago, along with his switch to a striking role, has seen the 30-year-old Yorkshireman fire in 35 goals in just fifty-two games.

Back after several months out injured, he has found regaining his place difficult as Harrogate battle with Salford City for top spot.

So, he has taken the opportunity to join Wrexham on loan for the rest of the season.