Ex-Heanor star James Belshaw has signed for Conference Side Nuneaton, becoming one of the long line of players to have represented the club before going on to play professional football.
James was always regarded as a fantastic player by all at Heanor, he was feared by many opposition managers too. Before a match with Dunkirk, who were top of the league at the time, their manager commented that the strikers for his side might as well not be there, rightly so, James kept a clean sheet that day as Heanor won 3-0.
Press Officer Tony Squires interviewed James shortly after signing his professional contract.

TS: We know you signed for Heanor from Dunkirk, then you left for a brief spell at Walsall, where else have you been until now?
JB: After leaving Walsall at the end of the 2008/09 season, I went to Duke University in North Carolina for 3 and half years to play football on a scholarship. Upon completing my degree in December 2012, I was drafted by the Chicago Fire in the MLS. I was offered a deal by the Fire at the end of February but we couldn't agree terms and I returned to England where I finished the season playing for Walsall again in their reserve team. I have recently represented Great Britain in Russia at the World University games where we won a silver medal, losing to France in the final after extra time. After returning from Russia, Nuneaton Town enquired about my availability and I played 3 preseason games before signing a contract there this past week.

TS: What do you remember of your time at Heanor? The fans still talk about you, they still regard you as a cult hero of the club.

JB: I absolutely loved my time at Heanor. I have to thank Jamie Bennett for bringing me there and taking a chance on me as a 16 year old by giving me the opportunity to play. I played with some great players at Heanor, many of whom became great friends off the field and really looked out for me as a young lad. I still keep in touch with a lot of the lads and have made friendships that will last a long time. The support I received from the fans was magnificent. It’s not easy to trust a 16 year old Goalkeeper but the fans were nothing but positive towards me and the chants of "Englands #1" still bring back fond memories.
Heanor Town will always be a very special club to me and I hope to return to The Town Ground at some point in the near future to see some old faces.

TS: Where do you see yourself playing in five years?

JB: My immediate goal is to bring some success to Nuneaton Town and contribute to what is going to be a big season for us in the conference. I want to break into the first team and help us to achieve our goals in whatever way I can. Long term, the goal is to hopefully progress and move up the footballing ladder to reach my potential and play at the highest level possible for as long as I can.

TS: What's been your career highlight?

JB: My career highlight has to be representing my country at the World University Games in Kazan this summer. Although we were disappointed not to come back with the gold medal, the life experiences that I had were once in a lifetime and provided me with memories that I will cherish forever. I learnt a lot about my strength of character after suffering a head injury in the final group game vs Italy which ruled me out for the quarter final and the semi final but I was able to return to start the final and be a part of something so unique and life changing. It is something that will live with me forever.

TS: You've followed great players like Nigel Clough and Nigel Pearson in playing for Heanor then moving onto professional football, how difficult has it been making that transition?

JB: It’s been a good test for me. At Duke, we trained every day and learned to cope with the demands of competing to a high standard however returning to England to play professionally provides a new obstacle. The style of play is different to what I have been accustomed to and the physicality is much more intense. Hopefully I can adjust quickly and contribute to Nuneaton in whatever way I can over the coming season.