Jason Oswell, an NHS physiotherapist with a knack of scoring goals, has returned to Wales on a promotion mission.
Cheshire-born Oswell, 26, has added to his first team goals tally – which stands at 84 – in England, Scotland, Australia and the Welsh Premier League.
Now he has committed to Vanarama National League Wrexham for the next 18 months and says: “I can’t wait to play in front of home fans at the Racecourse.
The Dragons have attracted almost 20,000 spectators to their last three home fixtures – against Salford, Solihull and Dover – and Oswell says: “I’m really excited about joining Wrexham. This seems such a positive place to be – and we’ll push hard for promotion.
http://https://youtu.be/7gXifCzt4Zw
“I thrive playing in front of big attendances and Wrexham have a big following. Hopefully I can help give energy back to home supporters.”
Oswell could make his debut at Bromley on Tuesday when the Dragons aim to bounce back from a 1-0 home defeat against Dover.
Manager Graham Barrow remains keen on adding another striker his squad and said that could happen before the trip to Bromley.
Oswell will play in that fixture if international clearance is granted in time and he says: “I have set myself scoring targets, but I keep those to myself.
“Clearly, though, I want to score goals and promotion is our priority. Personally, my aim is to play a target man role,, holding the ball up, putting myself about, be strong in the air and score goals.”
http://https://youtu.be/QHnALpiYjH0
Wrexham paid an undisclosed fee for Oswell and manager Barrow compared him to club-mate Stuart Beavon, who is on loan from Coventry.
“Jason is a good athlete, almost a version of Stuart Beavon, a six-yard box player and that’s ultimately what we want.” said Barrow, who wants to see a big reaction from his team when they play Bromley away.
The Dragons then entertain National League rivals Leyton Orient in an FA Trophy tie at the Racecourse on Saturday.
Oswell studied physiotherapy at the University of Salford, graduating in 2017, and worked within the NHS.
His playing career took him to Scottish Premier League Inverness Caledonian Thistle six years ago and he says: “A great experience.
http://https://youtu.be/QB46k4gQ6JU
“The SPL is tough and the standard high. I learned a lot there, especially from manager Terry Butcher.
“After that I went to play for Leichhardt Tigers in the New South Wales Premier League. That was awesome.
“We were Waratah cup winners. That’s the equivalent of the Welsh cup that was a great day.
“Sydney is a pretty cool place to live and play.”
Oswell scored a hat-trick for Tigers in the quarter-final win against Central Coast Mariners, while he netted the first goal in a 3-0 cup final victory against Sutherland Sharks.
Oswell turned professional at Crewe Alexandra in 2011, spending the first half of that season on loan at Rhyl.
He moved on to Inverness in June 2012 and then Australia before returning to Wales and rejoining the Lillywhites in North Wales.
Oswell also played for Airbus UK Broughton and Newtown, scoring 22 goals in 2016-17 to win the Welsh Premier League Golden Boot and was voted WPL player of the year.
He signed for Stockport in June 2017 and was named as the club’s player of the season in 2017–18, having scored 28 goals in 47 appearances.
The striker from Northwich in Cheshire was on the move again, returning to the Football League with Morecambe, before making the switch to Wrexham late last week.
While Oswell has joined Wrexham’s squad preparing for the match at Bromley on Tuesday, midfield player Brad Walker has returned to Crewe after his loan spell.
The Dragons are keen for Walker, 23, to play for them over the rest of this season and beyond.
They are in talks with Crewe over a full transfer and the player is keen, having described his time at the Racecourse as ‘brilliant’.
Walker has made 23 appearances for Wrexham and scored four times.
“The clubs are still talking and I am hoping to be with for the rest of the season,” said Walker. “I loved every minute of my time at the club.”
Wrexham in National League – top five
| P | W | D | L | GD | PTS | ||
| 1 | Leyton Orient | 29 | 16 | 9 | 4 | +29 | 57 |
| 2 | Salford | 29 | 16 | 7 | 6 | +25 | 55 |
| 3 | Wrexham | 28 | 15 | 8 | 5 | +18 | 53 |
| 4 | Solihull M | 28 | 15 | 6 | 7 | +18 | 51 |
| 5 | AFC Fylde | 29 | 13 | 11 | 5 | +22 | 50 |