MARK Ford joked about his ambitions to win both the golden boot and golden glove at Dorset Premier League side Blandford United this season.

Ex-Weymouth striker Ford bagged 43 goals in 102 competitive games for the Terras, including 17 in 19 cup games.

Ford also shares the tag of ultimate Weymouth super sub with Harry Baker, scoring seven goals in 43 games when coming off the bench.

Now a fully-fledged firefighter and winding down towards the latter stages of his football career with Blandford, the striker has often been seen donning the gloves for the Royals.

Last season he kept two clean sheets in six games but has improved his record to four in eight with two shut-outs in the current campaign.

Discussing his dual identity on the pitch, Ford told Echosport: “Last year’s season wasn’t really a season, a lot of clubs were pulling out with the pandemic.

“I think we only played six games last year and one of our main keepers wasn’t available. He couldn’t risk the time off work.

“Back then if someone got it you all had to isolate. So last year we didn’t really have a keeper and I was finishing off my final assessments and development through the Fire Service.

“I didn’t really want to be playing up top and get niggles. As a striker you think you could do a job in goal.

“To be fair, I played six games and kept two clean sheets. It wasn’t too bad.

“This year, it’s a proper season. I’m a striker and score goals and I thought I’d stay outfield.

“Typically, our main keeper got injured and our reserve caught Covid. I got asked by Josh (Feirn, manager) and you can’t really say no.

“I’ve played two games in goal this year so far. I said to everyone: ‘This year is going to be a first ever. I’m going to go for golden boot and golden glove!’”

Explaining his viewpoint on mixing his roles, Ford admitted his time as a striker has helped when deployed between the sticks.

He said: “You read the game, you know when balls might go over the top and things like that.

“When you play in goal you think: ‘I can save that’.

“Then you actually step out and think being a keeper is one of those crazy choices you make when you’re younger.”