WHEN Nelson manager John Bailey boasts a former Spanish League striker has helped to lift his side into the promotion pack, he isn't joking.

Kiko Rodriguez joined the NWCL Division Two club in October and an exotic name also hides a fairly impressive footballing background.

The 32-year-old was born in Burnley but his family hails from Spain where his dad once had trials for Real Madrid.

"He was actually a defender but I don't think anything came of it and he eventually moved over to England to work," said the Blues forward.

But when he was 16, Kiko returned to his Spanish family home in Coruna where he made his debut in the Spanish League Second Division for Deportiva.

"I went for a holiday and 12 months later returned to play football. I was an apprentice there for one full season, made my debut, playing about 20 games. It was brilliant, it's amazing when I look back as they are in the Spanish Premier League now.

"I didn't really appreciate what I had then and decided to return to Burnley."

At 18 Kiko went straight to Turf Moor where he spent seven months. "I played in the reserves when Brian Miller was manager.

"One moment sticks in my mind, playing against Manchester United at Turf Moor one Saturday morning in 1983. They had Clayton Blackmore and Russell Beardsmore playing for them and I scored with an overhead kick past goalkeeper Gary Walsh. "It got a big write up in the Lancashire Evening Telegraph. It was great because I had most of the page and below me was a little picture of Pat Jennings, who was then the Arsenal goalkeeper. It pleased me as I got a bigger write up than him!"

However, it didn't work out for Kiko at Turf Moor, despite a brief return when Frank Casper was manager, and he went into local football.

"It was a big blow but I didn't have the right attitude, was disillusioned and just played around the non-leagues," he admitted.

First it was Burnley Bank Hall, then in the North-West Counties League, Burnley United and spells at Padiham and Rossendale before Kiko joined Burnley Belvedere in the West Lancs League. That's where Nelson boss Bailey saw the 'Spanish' forward score 37 goals last season and decided to snap him up.

"At 32, I decided I'd have one last chance in the North West Counties and it's worked out great so far.

"I think I've scored five goals in seven games and I'm enjoying every minute of it. There's great competition for strike places at Nelson -- with Jonathan Irvine, Nigel Coates and the others -- and I just want these old legs to keep going," he added.

And they'll need to keep going tomorrow when the second placed side travel to table topping Stone Dominoes -- especially as the Blues boss wants Kiko and co to make an impression this time round.

"When Stone came to us they beat us 2-0 but we had four quality chances and didn't put any away," said Bailey. "But they seem to be going in for us at the moment and hopefully it will remain that way.

"Kiko's made an impact but it has been a team effort, we got some new faces at summer, they've taken time to gel but now we feel we are getting there."