MARK BECK has bolstered Solihull Moors‘ strike force – and he reckons he is arriving the best form of his life.
The 6’5” striker leads the way in the National League North scoring charts so far this season with 15 goals, steering Darlington into promotion contention.
Now, however, he has been snapped up by topflight Moors on a two-anda-half year permanent deal to help arrest a run of five straight defeats.
Sunderland-born Beck, 28, re-established himself as a fans’ favourite at Blackwell Meadows in his second spell with the Quakers having re-joined the club from Harrogate Town, where he won promotion to the EFL, last July. And the former Yeovil Town striker reckons he arrives at Damson Park at the peak of his powers.
“I think I am [in the best form of my career],” he told the club website. “I’ve got 18 so far this season but I’m now here for two-anda-half years so hopefully that can continue.
“I’m very excited to be here, having spoken to the gaffer [Neal Ardley], I know Cal [captain, Callum Howe] too, and now seeing the facilities we’ve got, I’m absolutely delighted to be here.”
Attention
Asked what he can bring to Ardley’s side, Beck added: “I’m a big man but I’m good with my feet as well, I can bring others into play. Hopefully the lads will be buzzing around me and can grab some more goals and assists.
“Seeing the squad, there’s no reason why we can’t kick on and get into the play-offs, anything can then happen once we’re in there. I can’t wait to get going.”
Quakers boss Alun Armstrong told of his frustration at losing his main target man but accepts it was an opportunity Beck couldn’t turn down.
“It’s been a tough week, the lowest I’ve been,” he said. “The timing of it couldn’t have been much worse. When we signed Becky there was always that risk, because of the release clause. Unfortunately we can’t pay the kind of money to make that release clause higher.
“I said to Becky when he came in the summer to come here and we’ll help develop you again, make you a better player and help you scoring goals. We’ve done that, maybe we’ve done it too well because he attracted a hell of a lot of attention.
“The kid’s been offered an unbelievable deal and he couldn’t turn that down, for his family’s sake.”
Ardley added: “Mark is a player I’ve known a long time. He’s technically very good and aerially he’s brilliant, he knows where to be in the box and we’re a team who like to get plenty of crosses in. I think he’ll be a big signing for us.”
