"I'VE had a fantastic two years and I'm not too proud to admit I shed a few tears when I left."

That was Jody Banim's reaction at leaving Radcliffe Boough for the dizzy heights of the Nationwide Conference and Shrewsbury Town, relegated from the Third Division at the end of last season.

He may be a goal scoring machine on route to greater things, but he will always be thankful form his time at Stainton Park.

"I've developed both as a person and as a player at Radcliffe," he said: "and I can't thank Kevin Glendon, Bernard Manning and the fans enough, It's been brilliant, but I want to be a full-time professional and this was a chance I just had to take."

Now a new challenge awaits the 25-year-old and he is eager to try and fulfill his potential.

"Apparently there were a few clubs in for me, like Harrogate and Stalybridge, but I would never have left Radcliffe for another Unibond club, it wouldn't have been the same," he said.

"There were offers from Oldham and Bournmouth but the best deal for the club, and me, was the one Shrewsbury offered and I didn't get to hear about it until they had made a full bid, after that everything was agreed and signed quite quickly.

"I'm now playing full-time. l made my debut in Tuesday night's 0-0 derby draw with Telford, in front of just under 7,000 people. It was a great atmosphere. I came on as sub and I think I did okay (Jody, on as a 64th minute sub, did better than okay, producing a very impressive display).

"Shrewsbury is a massive club, too big to be in the Conference and the aim is to bounce straight back into the Third Division, but if it takes another season it will only help my development."

As for his former club, he reckons the recent run of disappointing results is just a temporary blip.

"Kevin just has to sort out one or two defensive problems that have cropped up recently. Come the end of the season I can see them making it into the new Northern Alliance."

Just four short of 100 goals for Boro in less than two-and-a-half seasons, his 46 last season almost guaranteed promotion on their own.

Whether Kevin Glendon can find a suitable replacement is open to question. But one thing is for sure, there's only one Jody Banim.