Farnham Town are delighted to confirm the signing of Jordan Gallagher from Raynes Park Vale.
The 27-year-old attacker is regarded as one of the best players in the Isthmian South Central Division, currently leading the top scorers charts with 16 goals in 18 appearances this season, and is considered a major coup.
Over the last three seasons, Jordan has established himself as one of the most prolific goalscorers playing in Non-League football across the South East and will be an excellent addition to a squad that currently sits four points clear at the top of the division.
In 2021/22, Jordan, who can operate through the middle, in behind or on the left of the attack, was the top scorer in the Combined Counties Premier Division South with 32 goals in 37 league games for the Vale en route to a third-place finish in the table, narrowly missing on promotion.
The following season, Raynes Park Vale would assert themselves as the best side in the division, winning 32 of their 38 league games, clinching the title and promotion to the Isthmian South Central again with Gallagher at the heart of their success, bagging another 25 goals in the process.
2023/24 saw the Vale compete in their first-ever Step 4 campaign – much like the Town are this season – and Jordan continued his prolific performances in front of goal. Across his 36 league appearances, he scored 28 times which would be the second-best return in the division as RPV narrowly missed out on a play-off place ending the season in sixth, and made him the ninth-highest goalscorer in Step 4 nationwide.
In all, Gallagher has netted 115 goals in 141 appearances since the start of the 2021/22 campaign and makes the move to The Memorial Ground to aid our promotion push.
Manager Paul Johnson said: “Jordan is one of the best goalscorers around. We got to see him first-hand when we joined Farnham a little over two years ago, watching games around the league, and he always had great natural goalscoring ability. Last season, he proved it at the level above, being one of the top scorers in the Isthmian South Central and Step 4 nationwide.
“I’ll be honest, we weren’t sure if Jordan was going to be open to a move with all the family ties at Raynes Park, but once we learned he was willing to hear us out we knew we had to pull out all the stops. He’s a top player at a great age, coming into his prime years, who I think can play further up the levels.
“We’re in a position now where we want to add to the squad and make a real assault on the league, and we’re over the moon that he’s agreed to make the move to us. He’s going to add great quality to a squad that already achieved so much last season and has had an excellent start to this. He’s a ruthless goalscorer, he’s a winner, and he’s got the right character and mentality that will make him an excellent fit in our dressing room. I’m looking forward to working with Jordan and welcoming him to the squad.”
Speaking to the Club for the first time, Jordan said: “I’m thrilled to be joining Farnham Town. It goes without saying that this was a very tough decision for me and not one I would take lightly. I’ve had some great years with Raynes Park Vale, being part of a successful and memorable journey with my family, and helping the Club reach new heights. I’d struggle to picture myself at any other Club, but if there was a club that I was open to moving to, Farnham Town was that club.
“I’ve had my eye on them for a little while now, as have most people in Non-League. It’s hard to miss and look past what Farnham are doing at the moment. I love what they do off the pitch with their media team, how they’re developing the Club infrastructure and fanbase, and on the pitch they’ve been nothing short of incredible over the last year or two. Getting promoted without losing a game was an amazing feat.
“From speaking to Johno, it became clear that we have a very similar view of the game. Farnham have started this season strongly and I hope to be able to help them push for promotion. They’ve kept together a lot of the core of the squad that had so much success last year, and I’m excited to come in and add to that group. Hopefully, we can enjoy some more success this year and beyond!”
Chairman Harry Hugo said: “It’s no secret that we tried to bring Jordan to The Memorial Ground this summer and we couldn’t quite make it happen for lots of reasons. Fast forward 5 months and the Farnham management and squad have performed brilliantly to put us in the driving seat at the top of the league table, despite an injury crisis.
“Johno and I sat down 10 days ago and discussed where we wanted to be at the end of the season and beyond and it was clear we needed some reinforcements to help us get there and Jordan was top of that list. A natural goalscorer who has done it year in, year out. What should our fans be excited about? Jordan is capable of x-factor moments that win games. And that’s what we pay our money to watch. I’m excited to see him in the squad on Saturday. He will wear the squad number 20.”
We’d like to thank Raynes Park Vale for their co-operation in allowing a smooth process for this to take place. Everyone at Farnham Town would like to welcome Jordan to The Memorial Ground and we can’t wait to see him in the Claret & Blue very soon!