Uxbridge manager Tony Choules believes Chris Moore’s return to the club proves the Reds can still attract non-league football’s biggest names.
Moore is back at Honeycroft after swapping the Southern League for the Ryman Premier when he signed for Gordon Bartlett’s Wealdstone in December 2012.
The experienced former Brentford and Dagenham & Redbridge striker had fallen down the pecking order at the Vale and jumped at the opportunity for first-team football with Uxbridge.
Choules and Moore are old pals and the Reds chief reckons the marquee signing of his trusted goalscorer has given the whole club a massive lift.
“It’s the worst kept secret in football,” Choules said of his fondness for Moore. “Uxbridge and myself have always got on well with Chrissy and he’s worked with me here and at Northwood. I knew there was a possibility Chrissy would come back.
“When a player of Chrissy Moore’s ability becomes available, our supporters expect us to be in the running and eight times out of 10 they expect us to finalise the signing. Chrissy Moore knows the club inside out and that makes us easier for us. It’s a massive signing.
“We’re in a transitional period at the moment with these young boys, but it’s been a great boost for the club to have him back. It’s a signing that will make people realise Uxbridge can still pull the really good players.
“Also, it’s a big lift for the supporters. I told them it would be frustrating with this group of young players, as they need time to learn. I think Chris being here will help bring them on quicker.
“We’ve got Kieran Knight and Matty Woods as well and we’re looking strong. It was a great signing in the context that we needed a signing. We need picking up and everything went hand in glove. It will have so many knock-on effects around the club.”
One deal Choules couldn’t close was an extension to Chris Paterson’s loan, with the defender having returned to Basingstoke Town at the end of last week.
“We wanted a long-term deal possibly looking to go into next season,” Choules added. “They just wanted him to stay here short-term and there was a few other factors as well. We thought we’d leave it for now and promote from within. We’re going to use what we’ve got there.”
