Last week Kidsgrove Athletic agreed to release club captain and record goal scorer Anthony Malbon from the remaining two months of his contract, allowing him to sign for a new club.

Malb or Malbiniho as he’s fondly known by the Grove faithful, joined the club in 2014 from Stalybridge, making his debut in a 1-1 draw at Chasetown, a game where he won the Grove a penalty. His 1st goal of 159 goals for the club came in a 3-2 win at Mickleover. Malb’s final goal for the Grove was the winner against current league leaders Rylands on 22nd January 2022.

As well as his goalscoring exploits Malb has captained the club since 2015, the highlight of his time coming in season 2018/19 leading the team out at Hartlepool in the 4th Qualifying Round of the Emirates FA Cup. Malbs finished the season with 32 goals.

Both his 100th and 150th goals came with hat-tricks at Market Drayton and Chasetown respectively.

Chairman Mick Fitzjohn hailed Malb as the best player of his time at the club saying “Malb’s number 10 shirt is the only Kidsgrove Athletic top on his wall, amongst his Barcelona collection."

During his time at Kidsgrove, Malbon finished top scorer in his every season at the club, won five player of the year awards was honoured by his league peers on numerous occasions in the League’s team of the year. Additionally, Malb has always been popular with both players and fans alike as well as being respected (often feared) by every opposition manager in the league.

In football, there always comes a time for players to seek new horizons and now seems to be the right time for both the club and Malb to go in a new direction. Everyone wishes Malb best wishes for the future and he will truly be missed and always recognised as a club legend.

Anthony is due to sign for Hanley Town for the rest of the season.

Once again Kidsgrove Athletic would like to place on record its thanks to Malb for eight years of service and wish him the very best of luck in future endeavours.