When Nigel Jemson put pen to paper for Rainworth on Saturday the 40-year-old became unquestionably the biggest 'name' player ever to join the Wrens, and the first ever Rainworth player to have previously figured regularly at the highest level of football in England.

Spotted by Brian Clough while still a trainee at Preston North End, Jemson joined Nottingham Forest in 1988 and, after three successful years at the City Ground was sold to Sheffield Wednesday for £800,000.

He later figured in big money transfers to Notts County, Oxford United and Bury, and had loan spells at several other clubs before moving north of the border to play for Ayr United. A return south saw him back at Oxford before joining Shrewsbury Town where he famously scored the goals that knocked Everton out of the FA Cup.

He subsequently managed Ilkeston Town, and last season was assistant manager at Halifax Town.

In an interview for the Rainworth website Jemson said he had been attracted to Rainworth first and foremost by manager Rudy Funk, and by the obvious ambition of the club.

He admitted: "I almost joined Rainworth last season, until the offer came along from Halifax, who are in a higher league with a bigger stadium etc, but I was finding the travelling there a bit too much.

"Arnold came in for me during the summer, but unfortunately things didn't quite work out there for reasons I don't want to go into, but I'd kept in touch with Rudy, he spoke to me again, and I'm pleased to be here."

Sometimes big name players who are used to playing in front of 30,000 or so may find it hard to adjust to dropping into non-League and appearing before a few dozen, but Jemson insisted he is not the type of player who goes into non-League for an easy ride.

Asked how he motivates himself in these circumstances, he said: "The motivation is that I love football. I'm 40 years of age but I still enjoy playing, and even though I may not be as fast or as lively as I was I still believe I can give something back to the game. And I will continue to play for as long as I think that.

"If the time comes when I become a laughing stock then that will be the time to hang up my boots, but while I still have something to offer I hope I can do a job with Rainworth. If I can, and hopefully help the club to promotion, then that will be brilliant.

"There is a great bunch of lads here who have made me very welcome, I trained with them for the first time last week, and I thoroughly enjoyed it, so I hope they will continue to take to me.

"In the longer term I would of course like to go back into management, but Rudy knows he doesn't need to look over his shoulder at me in that respect. The day will eventually come when I have to finish my playing, and then I'll look round again for a club to manage, but for now I'm just happy to be playing for Rainworth."

http://www.chad.co.uk/sport/Jemson-explains-Why-Rainworth.5754710.jp