Striker Nic Bollado has left Stockport County, joining non-league side Morpeth Town in his native north east, as reported by the NPL.
The 19-year-old only joined the Hatters in the summer but struggled to make an impression as part of the club’s Emerging Talents programme. Following a loan spell at FC United of Manchester, he left Edgeley Park and returned to the Northern Premier League with the Highwaymen.
His new club are just one place above FC United but a couple of divisions below Stockport. However, that didn’t put off the former Carlisle striker, who admitted he wasn’t enjoying his football at Stockport, necessitating a change of approach.
“I wasn’t enjoying my football where I was,” said Bollado. “I had spoken to (Craig Lynch) about coming to training during pre-season so when the opportunity came about again, I was more than happy to come on a permanent basis.”
Bollado has played senior football for Carlisle, but his first regular men’s experience came with the Red Rebels, and he’s now happy to keep that learning experience going with his permanent move to Morpeth.
“I know how big of a club Morpeth is in the north-east, and I just wanted to come in and get to work to hopefully push us up the league,” he added. “It was my first taste of men’s football as such, bar games there and then, at FC United, so it is good experience, and it becomes more normal as I’m amongst it every week.”
Prior to joining Stockport, Bollado had looked to be making an impression in Cumbria. After impressing in pre-season training in 2022, he was handed a debut by Paul Simpson, firstly as a 39th-minute sub in the EFL Trophy against Fleetwood, and then a League Two debut four days later against Newport County.
Despite that exposure, he only appeared twice more, playing 90 minutes in the Cumbrians’ 2-0 defeat against Barrow in the EFL Trophy and as a late sub in their FA Cup tie with Tranmere. He was released after they achieved promotion, joining the Hatters but not making any senior appearances during his short stay.
Writer’s View
It isn’t such a surprise to see a young player dropping down a couple of divisions, and the Northern Premier League certainly isn’t a bad level. If Bollado can get regular football and perhaps bag a few goals, he will be in the shop window rather than hidden away in Stockport County’s academy somewhere.
At 19, it’s a brave move, but there’s every bit of evidence players at this level can make the step back up. Jovon Makama is a classic example – the young striker is playing regularly for Lincoln City now, but only two seasons ago, he was in the Northern Premier with Gainsborough, to date, his only senior experience away from the LNER Stadium.
The onus is now on Bollado to make a statement and show Stockport what they’ve missed out on. Paul Simpson saw something in the young player, and at 19, there’s lots of time left for him to develop.
Editor In Chief
