Left winger, left midfielder, left wing back. Pretty much any area that is left. Our new Edgar Street arrival Jack Tolley is certainly one-side versatile.
Tolley made a promising debut this afternoon in the Bulls’ 1-0 victory over Bishop’s Stortford but, perhaps to be expected, tired after an hour. The free agent hadn’t played first team football for around a month but has been training with Hereford recently.
Interviewed after the match for BBC Hereford & Worcester the winger was delighted to have pulled on a Bulls’ shirt for the first time, “To start life here at Edgar Street with three points is phenomenal.”
For a 19-year-old, Jack’s been about a bit. His Academy days were mainly spent with Derby County. He was in the same team as Alex Babos although strangely Jack was known to play in goal. From there, he moved to Shrewsbury’s Academy. He shared a dressing room with Charlie Caton, now Chester’s main striker. Next, he was off to Kidderminster where he was to spend 3 years. He sat on the substitutes bench for FA Cup matches and sneaked onto the pitch for 30 minutes against Leamington while everyone else was yawning or dozing.
His first loan made sure he was never short of a curry. He joined Sporting Khalsa in March 2022 until the end of the season. Happily, there was a pro contract at the Harriers for him when he returned to Aggborough.
In November 2022, he was off again, this time on a Youth loan to Mike McGrath’s Bromsgrove Sporting. The original arrangement was for a month and was extended again and again only for the player to be recalled in April. Jack made an impressive 22 appearances becoming a regular starter. He scored 3 times.
Tolley was released by Kidderminster a month later and took advantage of an offer from wealthy step 3 club Ilkeston Town. Manager Jamie Ward described his new charge as “quick, sharp and hardworking. And with an eye for goal.” Pretty much every source confirmed a one-year contract. And yet after 6 appearances, 2 yellows and no goals, Tolley left in September. He says he decide to leave as he felt he could perform at a higher level than Ilkeston. He was one of three to leave Ilkeston while 4 more arrived.
Tolley is Wolverhampton based and there are social media pictures of him wearing the shirt of his local club. Perhaps I should refrain from comment on that front.
Tolley revealed he is not cup-tied and can therefore feature in next weekend’s upcoming FA Cup tie at Edgar Street against Cambridge City.
Tickets can be purchased via the official club link:
Cambridge City (ticketco.events)
Simon Wright
