‘He will become a cult hero’, Wright on new Darlington striker Styche

By Adam Ellis
Tamworth striker Reece Styche has made a cross-divisional switch to join fellow National League North side Darlington and is in line to make his debut in Friday night’s FA Trophy third qualifying round match against Harrogate Town.
The 28-year-old is the fourth top-scorer in the league with 10 goals and links up with Darlington boss Tommy Wright for a second time after playing under him at Nuneaton Town last season.
“Reece is a perfect fit for this football club and is exactly what we want,” Wright told the club’s website of his new signing.
“Everything I think this club is about in terms of presence, desire and work rate is embodied by Reece. He will become a cult hero, and he is relishing the opportunity to play for the club.”
Wright was emphatic in expressing his excitement for what the former Forest Green Rovers forward could achieve at Blackwell Meadows.
“He has plenty of experience from higher divisions from earlier in his career, and his all round game really excites me. I have known him for a long time, and I know that he will give 110 per cent for this club.”
The respect between manager and player is mutual with Styche attributing Wright as the influence behind him rediscovering his love for football after difficult spells at Macclesfield Town and Gateshead.
“The main thing was Tommy,” Styche said when asked about what attracted him to Darlington.
He added: “I’ve known him since my time at Forest Green and he took me to Nuneaton and played a main part in me starting to enjoy my football again.
“I’m not going to lie it was a tough decision to leave Tamworth, but Tommy has looked after me and Darlington do get big crowds.
“They are a big club and shouldn’t be in this league and I’m excited to come here and play for Tommy again.”