Dior Angus has been unveiled as AFC Telford United’s latest signing, joining from National League outfit Altrincham ahead of the forthcoming season, according to the club’s official website.
Having made 35 appearances in the National League for Altrincham last term, it is certainly a drop in class for Angus. The striker is now 30 but still had a productive season, registering four goals and a further five assists in the fifth tier.
Those contributions would help Altrincham to the National League play-offs for the first time in their history and although they would lose to eventual promotion winners Bromley, it was an incredibly successful season for all involved. The Robins have found it hard to keep ahold of some of their stars as a result, most notably Chris Conn-Clarke, who joined Peterborough United earlier in the week.
Although Angus doesn’t exactly hold the same status as Conn-Clarke, it is still somewhat of a surprise to see him drop down into the Southern League Premier Central and it is very much a statement of intent by AFC Telford United, who will be targeting a spot in the sixth tier next term.
Proven at a National League level, Angus could well dominate for the Bucks. Despite being somewhat of a journeyman, he has had many successful spells further up the pyramid, notably with the likes of Wrexham and Barrow.
He’d spend a season-and-a-half with the former, racking up seven goals in 41 appearances, although was deemed surplus to the requirements after the big money takeover by American duo Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney. As for Barrow, he’d even turn out in the EFL for them, scoring four times in the 2020/21 season following on from a successful spell in front of goal in the National League the term prior.
Speaking to club media about his latest signing, Telford manager Kevin Wilkin said:
“Dior is one I’ve tried a few times to get in the past, but for whatever reason, he’s just been slightly out of reach, probably due to his career trajectory. He’s done well at clubs, winning the National League at Barrow, and he’s a nice, polite, kind of down-to-earth guy; I’m delighted to be working with him.”
“He wants to run in the channels, and he’s a strong, quick lad with a good eye for goal.”
Writer’s View
Dropping two divisions to play for Telford emphasises that Angus is interested in the project building at the club, and he could dominate in the seventh tier of English football, helping the club to gain promotion in the process.
With the likes of Wrexham, Barrow, Harrogate Town and Port Vale all on his cv, the striker brings proven quality at a higher level and could be a real hit for the club. Although he may have been expected to leave Altrincham this summer, after nine goal involvements in the National League it’s a surprise to see him move to Telford but they’re an ambitious club at the level who will be targeting promotion next season.
