HWFC are thrilled to announce the signing of Joash Nembhard following his contract expiry at Hemel Hempstead.

Despite signing 2 months into the season only 4 players featured more times for the Tudors in 2021/22 than Nembhard.

The 24-year-old played 30 times for Hemel starting 29 of those and also chipped in with 3 goals. Against the Hawks Nembhard played as a left sided centre-back in a back 4 but he has also demonstrated the ability to play in the middle of a back 3.

Paul Doswell employed both a traditional back 4 and a back 5 system last season, Nembhard’s experience playing in both is surely a positive. The defender started 18 of the final 21 games that the Tudors played last year so will be in a position to hit the ground running in preseason.

About our new addition

As a commentator you have to remember the names of around 320 opposing players across a season, only a handful of names perform so emphatically that they remain in your conscious after the 90 mins have concluded.

One of those names last season was Joash Nembhard. The two footed centre back was outstanding for Hemel Hempstead against the Hawks in the penultimate game of the season and was a big reason that fixture ended goalless. Strong in the tackle and dominant in the air, the powerful Nembhard earned the admiration of Tudor fans for his work rate and commitment over the course of the campaign.

No one can know exactly when manager Paul Doswell decided to sign Joash Nembhard but one can imagine that performance against Havant and Waterlooville a month ago helped confirm his decision.

The Englishman’s former sides include Hendon, Chesham, Staines, The New Saints, Cefn Druids, Merstham and Sutton United. In England Nembhard was part of the Sutton squad that lifted the 2020/21 National League trophy earning the London club a place in the EFL. However, it was Nembhard’s time with Welsh football giants The New Saints that was perhaps most instrumental in his career.

While with the 14-time Cymru Premier winners Nembhard was involved in one title, earned 2 runners up medals and even featured in the Europa league and Champions league qualifying rounds.

Although Champions League football isn’t being played at the Draper Tools quite yet, Paul Doswell will hope that the signing of Nembhard can bolster the back line and help a push towards the National League next campaign.

Words by Matt Drabble