UPDATE: Richard Brodie quits Southport and will get paid an extra £100 a week at Aldershot
Photo: Richard Brodie(left)
Richard Brodie quits relegation favourites Southport only two games into the season
Arguably Southport’s best player Richard Brodie has left the Club, Friday 14 August.
A further update will follow when the club release a statement.
Aldershot Town have signed former York City striker Richard Brodie from Southport on a one-year contract.
The 28 year-old England C international boasts a fine record at National League level, including 69 goals in 165 games for The Minstermen, two Conference championship titles and 16 goals last season for The Sandgrounders.
The Gateshead-born striker was named Conference Player of the Year in 2010, as his 34 goals fired York City to the Play-Off Final, and in the next two seasons, Brodie won consecutive Conference National winners’ medals with Crawley Town and Fleetwood.
Richard began his senior career with Whickham in Northern League Division Two in 2004, where his 21 goals in season 2005-06 earned a move to Newcastle Benfield. His performance in a FA Cup tie against York City impressed them enough to sign Brodie in January 2007 – a move which saw him score just two minutes into his City debut.
He has twice played in the FA Trophy Final, for York in 2009 and Grimsby Town in 2013, and also played for Barrow, Morecambe, Gateshead and Hereford United in a career which has brought 147 goals in under 400 appearances.
“Richard is the different type of striker that we’ve been looking for,” explained manager Barry Smith. “He’s got a big physical presence and he’s the sort of player that you would rather have in your team than not. He’s got a great goalscoring record wherever he’s been. Our other three strikers have done very well so far but we need competition up front and he’ll definitely provide that.”
“I’m coming to play for a manager who I think believes in me 100%,” said Brodie. “Sometimes in life you need a change, but I wouldn’t have just jumped at any opportunity. I’ve always admired Aldershot Town as a Football Club, through playing against them and knowing what good fans they have. I know those fans on the East Bank always give 100% and they deserve some success because the Club has been on a bit of a down recently. But Barry has brought in some quality players and there are some really exciting times ahead for the Club.
“I scored 16 goals last year and have a good CV but it doesn’t matter what you’ve done in the past, it’s what you do on the pitch. I’ll always give 100%, that’s a given, and I will do what I can to score goals, but hopefully also bring something extra to the team. I’m 28 years-old and I want to enjoy my football. I’m moving down to the area and I want to push on into the top half of the league.
“People see what I am on the pitch but I’m not that type of person off the pitch,” he admitted, “I’m actually a nice person. I’m a big softie and I just need an arm around me and someone to say ‘we want you here’, and that’s worth more to me than an extra £100 a week. I hope that we can fit in quickly, as a family, and kick on the pitch. I’ve signed a one-year contract but if things go well I’m not here for the short-term.”
Brodie will wear shirt number 17 and is available for selection as The Shots face Wrexham on Saturday.
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