Didcot Town will give former Oxford City midfielder Andy Ballard his debut when they host Marlow in the FA Trophy preliminary-round at Loop Meadow Stadium today.

Ballard, 29, who has joined from Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division side Chesham United, goes straight into the squad.

He joined the Buckinghamshire club in the summer having been released by City where he made more than 300 appearances in two spells, including helping them to promotion to the Vanarama Conference North via the play-offs.

And Didcot joint manager Ian Concannon was delighted to land their man.

Latest Sport news

“We’re really excited to have him,” he said.

“He signed the forms after training with us on Thursday night.

“We just decided to make an enquiry. He knows Andy Sinnott (Didcot coach) well and we chanced our arm.

“We put in a seven-day approach for him and it went from there.

“It’s a great signing for the club to sign someone of Andy’s calibre.

“People can see we have got a bit of intent in there.

Concannon added: “He’s got a lot of experience playing at a higher level and has won things.

“He’s a winner, is very competitive and has a very professional attitude and is a good all-round player.

“Hopefully, we can use that experience to benefit a young team.

“He’s effective in the dressing room and is a good lad.”

Elsewhere, Tony Woodward has stepped down as chairman of Southern League Division 1 South & West side Wantage Town for personal reasons.

John Culley and Glyn Austin are filling in until a temporary or permanent chairman is appointed.

  •  Do you want alerts delivered straight to your phone via our WhatsApp service? Text NEWS or SPORT or NEWS AND SPORT, depending on which services you want, and your full name to 07767 417704. Save our number into your phone’s contacts as Oxford Mail WhatsApp and ensure you have WhatsApp installed.