Skip to main content

Written on .

Ravi Shamsi Aiming to Fire Nuneaton Borough to Promotion Next Season

Ravi Shamsi

Iranian non-league star Ravi Shamsi is on the move again, swapping Banbury Town for Nuneaton Borough. Despite being linked with a plethora of National League South clubs, the Urmia-born striker has opted to remain in the Southern Premier League Central for at least one more season. Although the Midlanders finished two places and one point below Shamsi's former employers, there appears to be no shortage of ambition at Liberty Way.

Although it's still early days, Boro have shown plenty of purpose in the transfer market this summer with former Coventry defender William Edjuengele joining the club from recently promoted Wealdstone, and he has already spoken of his desire to add consecutive promotions to his CV. The Frenchman has been joined by former Northampton midfielder Claudio Dias as well as veteran striker Leroy Lita. The 35-year-old has a vast amount of experience across the EFL with Swansea, Middlesbrough and Reading amongst his former clubs. He still has plenty to offer and securing his services ahead of the 2020-21 campaign is seen a huge coup for the club. With more signings expected to follow, Jimmy Ginnelly's men are likely to be amongst the pre-season favourites next year.

Shamsi enjoyed a prolific 2018/19 campaign, finishing as the Puritans' top goalscorer with 15. Last season, he failed to settle however, spending time at Leamington and Stratford Town before returning for his fourth spell at the Banbury Plant Hire Community Stadium. Although he is primarily deployed as a striker, the former Fulham trainee's raw pace allows him to be equally effective in wide areas. He has scored goals throughout the non-league pyramid, and although his move to National League side Maidenhead United didn't go according to plan, there is undoubtedly still time for the 'Little Wizard' to play at a higher level.

There is an air of unfinished business about the Iranian, and having featured several times for Fulham U18s, he will surely be targeting a return to the EFL in the near future. He signed a two-year scholarship deal in 2014 and during his first season in West London, he was used on both flanks, making 19 appearances and scoring just a single goal. His form dipped the following year, and having featured on just six occasions, he was subsequently released. Since then, the Cottagers have had the highest of highs and the lowest of lows with promotion to the Premier League League followed by relegation the following season, but they are currently fighting for promotion for once again and are second-favourites to win the play-offs in the sports betting at Paddy Power behind local rivals Brentford, who are in red-hot form.

Shamsi isn't the only Iranian plying his trade in the lower echelons of English football and is joined by Glossop North End's Porya Ahamdi. The 26-year old forward has previously spent time at Chorley, Salford City and, most recently, Aberystwyth Town.

Although Shamsi is unlikely to come face to face with his fellow countryman anytime soon, he should line up against his former employers Banbury Town next season. With plenty of competition for places, the diminutive wide-man will need to hit the ground running, and impress the club's coaching staff during pre-season training. Despite finishing seventh last year, Nuneaton are targeting promotion this time around, and if he can continue where he left off in March, the 22-year old is likely to play an important role for Boro in the coming months.