Inglewood United have pulled off a stunning recruitment coup with the capture of former Welsh youth international Mark Pritchard.   A hard-working midfielder with a keen eye for goal, Pritchard will provide a focal point coming through the middle of the park and add bite the attack as Inglewood look to climb the National Premier Leagues ladder.

Pritchard joins the club with a wealth of knowledge and experience garnered from a playing career that started as a teenager with Swansea City and included representing Wales at Under-19, 21 and Semi-Professional levels.   Not surprisingly, coach Michael Garcia is thrilled that the 29-year old has chosen to continue his career at Inglewood.

“Mark is a key signing for our club, and would be for any team in this league,” Garcia said.   “He brings experience, composure, standards and goals to the side.  His consistency since coming into the league has been exceptional and his ability to control a game is something which will add great value to us.”

“Mark’s signing should reassure people that top players believe in what we want to achieve, and that they are on board with it.   I’m sure he had options to go elsewhere so it’s great for Inglewood United that we can attract and sign a player of his quality … it underlines the ambition we have as a club.”

Pritchard began his career with Swansea, making the first of his four appearances against Cambridge United in late 2003.   After scoring twice in four outings for Wales’ Under-21 team, and following a loan to Merthyr Tydfil (4 games), Pritchard spent a season with Aldershot (23 games) for whom he scored his first senior career goal against Blackpool in the FA Cup.

A successful two-season spell with Llanelli followed in which Pritchard made 66 appearances and scored 17 goals.   He helped Llanelli to their first league title, the 2007/08 Welsh Premier League, and in late 2008 was rewarded with his debut for Wales Semi-Professional team against Finland.   Pritchard played the following season with local rivals Carmarthen Town, gaining 31 outings and scoring twice.

Brief spells with Goytre United and Oxford City preceded Pritchard’s move to Western Australia in 2011.   Three seasons with Floreat Athena reaped two club Fairest and Best awards along with State team honours against Perth Glory.   He played the two most recent seasons with Perth SC, making 42 appearances and scoring 17 goals.