Worksop Town's James Baxendale would love to return to Wembley

James Baxendale. Photo: Lewis Pickersgill.

Baxendale joined the Tigers from Pontefract Collieries, but has previously made omore than 100 appearances in the Football League for the likes of Doncaster Rovers, Walsall, and Mansfield Town.

One of those games came in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy final where Baxendale came off the bench to play in front of over 70,000 at Wembley in a 2-0 defeat to a very strong Bristol City side.

Baxendale said: “Playing at Wembley was a long time ago and playing a game of football is normally just a game of football.

James Baxendale of Walsall is carried off the pitch on a supporters shoulders after his side reach the final after an aggregate 2-0 victory during the Johnstone's Paint Northern Area Final second leg match between Walsall and Preston North End at Banks' Stadium on January 27, 2015 in Walsall, England. (Photo by Michael Steele/Getty Images)

"However, that time was one of the only times where you got to look around and take it all in.

“I feel very fortunate to have been able to play there and who knows, we may get to play there once again one day.

“It was very enjoyable to play in the football league, it was a privilege to play in it.

“But, it was a pleasurable time in my career and I aspire to try and get back to that level once again.”

Baxendale went out to play in America for a season with Orange County SC before dropping into non-league.

There he represented the likes of Alfreton Town, Kidderminster Town, Nuneaton Borough, Mickleover Sports and Pontefract, for whom he first linked up with current Tigers boss Craig Parry.

The 27-year-old is hoping that his experience will help the side next season and has given an insight into his role in Parry’s philosophy.

“I am playing under a management team, who I have previously played under before and I was playing the most enjoyable football that I have played in a long time, so I am looking forward to getting going at Worksop,” stated Baxendale.

“The style of play is high intensity.

"I like to run with the ball and I work hard, so I think it will be something that all the supporters will enjoy.

“The play is full throttle and relentless attacking football. We go out there to outscore teams and that is what we will be setting out to do at Worksop.

“I hope my experience can rub off on everyone, but it is a full team effort and you will see that when we get going and when we are playing together, you can see that we are on it and we back each other.”