ALEX REID DEPARTS WEALDSTONE
We can announce that Alex Reid has departed Wealdstone and returned back to parent club Oldham Athletic following the end of his loan spell with the Stones.
Alex has had an outstanding impact at the Stones in such a short space of time, scoring 11 goals in just 13 games. Putting his heart and soul into his loan spell, Alex quickly created a bond with our supporters, propelling him to a terrace favourite in record time.
Reid began his Stones career in perfect fashion, with a hat-trick in the FA Cup Fourth Qualifying round against Gosport Borough. He finished calmly just before half-time to level the score and bag his first Stones goal, before putting the Stones 3-1 up after rounding the keeper and finishing into an empty net. He sealed his hat-trick from the spot, putting the Stones into the hat for the first round.
The towering forward bagged his fourth goal for the club just two games later, at home against Braintree Town in a 3-2 win, smashing home inside the area to level the score on the day. He rounded off the month with a clinical header in the 2-2 draw away at Ebbsfleet United, winning himself Supporters' Player of the Month for November.
His sixth goal for the club, one of the most memorable in Stones history, was a last minute winner away at Grimsby Town in the Emirates FA Cup First Round. Reid finished calmly in the dying embers of the game to send the Stones through to a historic Second Round home tie against League One leaders Wycombe Wanderers.
The 29-year-old won and scored a penalty in the following game, a crucial 2-0 win away at Aldershot Town in the National League before putting in two important 90 minute performances in the 2-0 win at home against Rochdale and the 1-1 draw away at Eastleigh.
Next up was a huge occasion for the club, Wycombe Wanderers at home in the FA Cup Second Round, on ITV. Despite a 2-0 defeat, the Stones put in a valiant performance, spearheaded by Reid. Two goals in the 3-3 thriller at home against Altrincham followed, a calm one-on-one finish and a pinpoint header took Reid's tally to nine for the Stones. Alex finished with a flourish, scoring in the 3-0 win over Dagenham at The Vale as well as on Boxing Day at Maidenhead United to round off his loan spell with 11 goals in a Stones shirt.
"To Stones fans," Said Reid. "Never could i have imagined when I decided to come to Wealdstone on loan that I would fall in love with this place in such a short space of time!"
"Although it has only been 13 games I feel like I have left with so many fond memories… going to Grimsby where no one believed in us and beating a league 2 team, only losing once at home in the league since October and 11 wonderful goals in my time and in a stones shirt!"
"Can only thank the gaffer (Matt Taylor), Rory (Fitzgerald), Steve (Boone), the staff, all the boys and the fans for showing me the support I have been craving and giving me a chance to go out there and score goals and do my best week in week out! "
"Farewell for now but hope to see you all again soon!"
We can't thank Alex enough for all his efforts in Stones colours. He will always be welcome as a returning hero to The Vale and we wish him every success for whatever comes next.