Doncaster Rovers Belles’ assistant boss comes out of retirement to play for Doncaster City

The goalkeeper, who began his career with Doncaster Rovers before playing for the likes of Bury, Scarborough and Halifax Town, made his debut in Saturday’s 2-0 win over Evo Soccer.

The result sent newly formed Doncaster City top of the table in the Sheffield & Hallamshire County Senior Football League Division Two.

"I didn’t really have a lot to do,” admitted Nick, whose 15-year-old son Shay – also a goalkeeper – plays for Rovers’ academy.

"The clean sheet was a bonus. I enjoyed it.

"It could be a one-off, I believe their keeper was on holiday or at a wedding. We have just left it open.

"I felt alright after I played. But if I did have a lot to do I’m not sure my body would take it.”

Nick had not played in a competitive fixture for about six years before Saturday.

He was persuaded to sign for Doncaster City by the man behind the club, football agent Willie McKay.

Nick said: “I have been friends with Willie for years. I knew he was starting Doncaster City up and I helped him get to Armthorpe (Welfare, where the club currently plays its home matches).

"I went to see him last week and he said: ‘we need a keeper’. I burst out laughing, he said: ‘I’m not joking’. Originally, they wanted me at the start of the season.

"It got to Thursday and his son Mark rang me and said: ‘are you going to play?’. Once I registered that was it.”

In true non-league style, Nick was introduced to his new teammates before kick-off.

He added: “I have been down to some of the games to watch with Willie.

"I knew some of them from league football years ago. The majority I was meeting for the first time.”

Last week Doncaster City unveiled plans ‘to create a hub of football for the North of England right here in Doncaster’, featuring indoor and outdoor pitches, a pavilion and an indoor training facility.

Nick said: “The pitches are starting to get ready.

"If the campus comes off it will be an unbelievable place to play football.”

The site in Bawtry is set to house Doncaster City from February.