Cambridge City sign Dereham Town captain Richard Black to replace Yaw Ofosu

While Cambridge City manager Robbie Nightingale is not shying away from the fact that losing Yaw Ofosu was a ‘blow’, he is more than delighted to have secured the services of Richard Black as his replacement.

Earlier in the summer it was announced that Ofosu, who made his 100th appearance for the club in April, would be remaining with the Lilywhites for the upcoming 2023/24 campaign.

However, on July 9 confirmation came through that Ofosu had accepted an offer to link up with higher-level Alvechurch in the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central Division.

His departure left a void in the heart of City’s defence, but Nightingale has beaten off competition from elsewhere to land Black, who last year skippered a relegated Dereham Town side.

Nightingale said: “Yaw was a big one. He was Players’ Player and Supporter’s Player of the Year last season. To lose him was a blow but we’ve brought in Richard Black.

“He likes defending and he’s a no-nonsense, aggressive defender. In the league we’re in, he’s perfect for that.

“He was captain at Dereham and that speaks volumes of what they thought of him. I know they got relegated but it’s a big thing to captain any side.

“We’ve beaten off a couple of clubs at Step 3 and 4 to get his services so we’re delighted to have him in the group.”

Black featured in both of Dereham’s victories over City last season.

Read next week’s Cambridge Independent print edition (out on August 2) for a preview to City’s 2023/24 campaign.