James Perch delighted to sign for home town club Mansfield Town

Perch made it all the way to the top of the game having made 80 appearances for Newcastle in the Premier League.

But, as he brings his glittering career to a close, Perch has joined Stags on a one year deal.

It brings his career full circle after he began his footballing journey in the Chad Mansfield Youth League before having a trial at Stags.

“It is massive and something I never thought would happen with the path I have taken,” he said.

“I thought I had missed my chance to come back and play here, now that I am here it is brilliant.

“It reminds me of so much when I was younger, I used to come here and watch games, play school finals here and fish over the road in the dam

“All I did as a kid was in and around Mansfield. I was here as a kid on trial and then Forest came in a week later and I signed for them.”

And Perch, who won promotion from League One with Nottingham Forest in 2008, says he can’t wait to see some familiar faces once again.

“I've always kept an eye out for Stags so when the chance came it was a no-brainer,” he said.

“I know so many people in Mansfield, all those I went to school with and played against.

“They will see this interview and see I have come back to my home club.

“I know loads who have season tickets and it will be nice for them to see me play and will give me more pressure to deliver for Mansfield.

“I'm from here, born and raised and it's just great to come back to the club I used to watch.

“It will be just great to be a part of it. I used to come down with my mates whenever we could.

“I just want to give it my best and see where it takes me.”

But, despite playing at the very top, Perch is well aware that League Two is a tough league to get out of.

“League Two is tough and demanding, it's very physical and is hard to get out of,” he said.

“Some teams play football and some are more direct. There's no formula to get out of it, you just need consistency and dedication.

“I see myself playing in midfield here, that’s what the manager wants because of my experience.

“It's a young squad so I can distribute my experience from there.

“It is going to be tough and will be strange with having no fans in the ground.

“It will feel like a training game except there are three points at stake. I don't know what it will be like, but I'm looking forward to it.”