PADIHAM have pulled off a major transfer coup by snapping up vastly experienced former Premier League striker Brett Ormerod.

Storks boss Steve Wilkes yesterday completed the capture of the Blackburn-born ex-Blackpool and Southampton frontman.

And within minutes of confirming Ormerod’s arrival at the Arbories Memorial Ground on his personal Twitter account, Wilkes was inundated with phone calls congratulating him on a piece of business he hopes will help turn luckless Padiham’s season around.

Those calls served only to strengthen Wilkes’ belief that the 37-year-old’s signing is one to make the whole of non-league sit up and take notice.

“It’s fantastic for a club like ours to get a player of Brett’s quality and experience,” said Wilkes.

“It’s a real coup for us. I don’t think there is a more experienced player out there in non-league.

“It’ll be a huge lift and hopefully it will bring more people through the turnstiles and there is no doubt he will help our young players come through.”

Ormerod started his career with Accrington Stanley after being released by Blackburn Rovers.

After two years with the Reds he signed for Blackpool in March 1997.

He scored 62 goals in 150 appearances for the Seasiders, including their winner in the 2001 Third Division play-off final at the Millennium Stadium, before moving to South-ampton in a £1.75m deal in December 2001.

Ormerod was with the Saints for five years and, alongside fellow former Rovers striker and Stanley boss James Beattie, was part of their team that lost the 2003 FA Cup final to Arsenal at the Millennium Stadium.

He then moved to Preston North End before returning to Blackpool in January 2009.

He went on to score 19 more goals for the Seasiders, with his most famous strike being their winner in the 2010 Championship play-off final at Wembley, before joining his last club, Wrexham, in July 2012.

He spent two seasons with the Dragons, twice appearing for them at Wembley in 2013 when they won the FA Trophy but lost the Conference Premier play-off final, before leaving by mutual consent in the summer.

Ormerod’s career appeared set to go full circle when he joined up with Stanley, then managed by Beattie, for pre-season training.

But after Beattie left the Reds’ hotseat, Wilkes made his move for the free agent.

“Brett trained with us for a while in pre-season but then he went to Accrington, with his big friend James Beattie, as he wanted to play in the Football League.

“But when James left last Friday I was straight on the phone to Brett.

“We’re good friends and he always said if he didn’t sign for Accrington, then he would join Padiham.

“He’s stuck to his word and we’re delighted to get him.”

Wilkes hopes the paperwork will have gone through in time for Ormerod to make his Storks debut in tonight’s Evo-Stik League First Division North clash at Lancaster City.

Padiham’s squad will be down to bare bones for the trip to a Dolly Blues team managed by former Rovers defender Darren Peacock.

Louis Mayers and Curtis Haley are set to spend the next six weeks on the sidelines after coming off injured in Saturday’s 2-1 home loss to Bamber Bridge.

Martin Parkes also had to be withdrawn, with back spasms, but Wilkes, who intends to make two more signings before tonight’s match, has not yet ruled him out.

Ormerod, who last played in the Premier League three years ago, said on Twitter: “Very happy to announce I’ve just signed for @Padiham_FC as I’m not quite ready to hang the boots up just yet!!!”

Elsewhere, struggling Clitheroe are also in Evo-Stik League First Division North action tonight at home to Prescot Cables.