Airbus announces Riley capture (From Northwich Guardian)

Wayne Riley signs for Airbus UK after leaving Northwich Victoria as a free agent

8:00am Saturday 4th August 2012 in Sport By Andrew Simpson, Senior Sports Writer

THE longest serving member of last season’s Northwich Victoria squad has followed seven of his teammates across the Welsh border.

Airbus UK, where Andy Preece took over as director of football when he ended a three-years tenure as Vics manager in January, announced yesterday, Friday, they had signed Wayne Riley.

The attacking midfielder leaves after making more than 150 appearances.

He has agreed non-contract terms with the Welsh Premier League outfit, meaning the Wingmakers do not need to negotiate compensation with Riley’s now former club.

The Guardian understands that at least one other manager made the Macclesfield-based midfielder an offer, but Riley’s wish to link up again with Preece helped to make up his mind.

That, plus the familiarity of playing with Kyle Armstrong, Chris Budrys, Tom Field, Jordan Johnson, Ian Kearney, Michael Roddy and Ryan Wade, all of whom have swapped Wincham for Wales.

Now 22, Riley is perhaps most famous for scoring a winning goal for Northwich in an FA Cup first round tie – broadcast live on terrestrial television – against then League One leaders Charlton in November 2009.

Picked by Vics fans as their Player of the Year at the end of the same season, he went on to score 17 goals in each of the next two terms at the Victoria Stadium.