FOOTBALL: OMARI Sterling James has departed Solihull Moors for League Two outfit Mansfield Town.
Sterling James, who was part of the Birmingham City Academy as a youngster, resurrected his career at Alvechurch before moving to Redditch United, then Cheltenham Town, Oxford City and Gloucester.
The 23-year-old then signed for Moors during the close season last year – and his impact at Damson Park was immediate after he struck a long range strike in his first away match at Sutton.
In total he made 31 starts for Moors, scoring nine goals – including the final penalty in a shoot out against Yeovil.
Sterling James leaves the club despite the club attempting to talk the striker into a new deal after the closer of last season.
After Stags manager Steve Evans was quoted saying an administration error led to Mansfield Town landing the talented striker for no transfer fee, Moors responded with a statement on their own website.
It read: “A new deal for 2017/18 was discussed verbally with Omari prior to end of season.
“But he expressed a desire to play full time league football so no deal was reached and his contract ran to its natural conclusion.
“There was no option on the contract as the player would not sign one when he originally joined us on a one year deal so there was no transfer fee due as he was a free agent at end of last season. “Due to his age we could possibly have been entitled to compensation, but as Omari had only been with us for one season – and he had played at a higher level – proving that we had invested extensive time and money in developing him would have meant a lot of potentially costly.
“It would have been time consuming for both clubs and the player himself.
“In the interests of all parties this course of action was not taken and we thank him and wish him well.”
