Chester new boy Archer living the dream just months after working in a bank

By Matt Badcock
IT wasn’t that long ago Jordan Archer spent his days working at his desk in a bank – now he’s watching back his debut Chester goal in video analysis sessions!
The 24-year-old began his Blues career with a bang by scoring just 11 minutes into his first game after joining from Step 3 Stourbridge.
Striker Archer met his team-mates on Monday morning after completing the move and the next evening was playing a part in their dramatic late 3-2 win against Barrow.
And on Thursday morning it was back to the classroom as new boss Marcus Bignot ran his side through the match.
“I was buzzing with the goal, but more importantly the three points,” Archer told The NLP. “I signed on the Monday and met the lads before playing on Tuesday. Everyone has been really welcoming so I didn’t feel nervous or out of place.
“We’ve been watching it back in the analysis today – it’s all new to me! Normally you score and it’s gone. It was enjoyable to watch my goal – the gaffer kept rewinding it, which was nice! It’s great to be at this level.”
Archer’s career in senior men’s football started at Tipton Town before spells at Tividale, Redditch and Bedworth, where he scored 19 goals despite his team suffering relegation.
Last season he joined Gary Hackett’s Stourbridge and his form, including nine goals in 16 games this season, had scouts flocking to see him.
He had a trial with Walsall but looked set to move to Tranmere Rovers recently, only to be told they were looking to sign a winger first.
So Chester boss Bignot swooped and Archer says he has the former Solihull and Grimsby boss to thank – as well as Stourbridge.
“Stourbridge kind of prepared for me what I’m doing at the moment,” Archer. “We had big crowds and it’s a good club. Hopefully they can get up the leagues as well.
“Then I know all about Marcus and what’s he’s done with strikers in the past so when the opportunity came up I jumped at it.
“My dad is a big influence on me as well and has always wanted me to go into full-time football, like I have myself. To be able to do it now with Chester is like a dream come true.”
The three points on Tuesday helped Chester climb out of the relegation zone and Archer says they need to keep pushing forward.
“There’s a good vibe around the club,” he said. “It feels like I’ve been here a while because everyone is friendly. We got out of the relegation zone on Tuesday, which is a start, and if we can keep getting ourselves up the table we should be alright.”
*This article originally featured in The @NonLeaguePaper, which is available every Sunday.