So, at long last, it seems Paolo Di Canio has finally secured the services of another striker to fill the void upfront.

For the past fortnight we’ve been linked to at least two Brazilians, an Italian, French Argentinian dual national and that bloke who joined Gillingham, yet Enfield born Alan Connell can’t lay claim to such exotic heritage.

Even though Alan’s made 7 appearances against Swindon from 2003 to 2007 for AFC Bournemouth, Hereford and Brentford, all without scoring a goal, I can’t say I’m too familiar with our new striker from Grimsby Town.

Having reviewed the usual sources, I’d say the 28 year old Londoner and trainee at Tottenham has had a nomadic career and has yet to really convince in League Two to deserve having a six-figure sum – reported to be £150,000 – spent on him.

Once released from Ipswich Town in the summer of 2002, Alan’s 3 year spell at the Cherries was thwarted by injury and restricted to substitute appearances, then onto Torquay, Hereford United, Brentford and back to Bournemouth for a second spell before joining Conference National Grimsby Town last July. At all these clubs Alan has scored goals, taking his tally to 66 in 260 league appearances, 1 goal every 4 games. Now onto Swindon and his sixth club in as many years, you wouldn’t call Connell loyal.

It is at Grimsby where 25 goals in a full compliment of 46 league games, plus another 4 cup goals, demonstrates why he secured the Mariner’s player of the year and earned a chance for another crack at League football, soon attracting bids, later refused, from a League One club, a League Two club and a Conference side in June.

Whilst some may still turn their noses up at the Conference and expect Town to secure signings from proven League players, the difference between League Two and the pinnacle of non-league is closing all the time. So hopefully the 28 year old has finally matured into a regular Football League goalscorer, and brought his goalscoring boots along with him to fire Town back up to League One.