There are some players whose impact on a football club can never truly be measured by statistics alone. Nathan “Gangles” Stone is one of those players.

After nine unforgettable years at Harleston Town FC, Nathan will be leaving the club, bringing to an end one of the greatest playing careers in our history.

Back in 2017, after Town narrowly missed out on the Anglian Combination Premier Division title, manager Adam Gusterson knew he needed to add more firepower to his squad if the club was to take the next step. One name kept being mentioned—Nathan Stone. It proved to be one of the best decisions the club has ever made.

Affectionately known as “Gangles”, Nathan quickly established himself as one of the key reasons Harleston went one better by winning the league title in 2018. His no-nonsense approach, relentless work rate and eye for goal made him a nightmare for defenders. Many local—and even regional—defenders have described him as the toughest opponent they have ever faced.

Today, Nathan leaves the club as Harleston Town FC’s all-time leading goalscorer, having made 251 appearances and scored an incredible 131 goals. Those numbers alone would cement his legacy, but anyone who has watched him knows his contribution went far beyond goals.

To commemorate everything Nathan has given to Harleston Town FC, the club is delighted to confirm that his name will be incorporated into the club’s new standing area as a lasting tribute to one of the finest players ever to wear the green and white. It is a fitting way to recognise a player whose contribution to the club will never be forgotten.

Nathan’s first season at the club could hardly have gone any better. Forming a brilliant strike partnership with Lawrence Cheese, he scored 17 goals in 34 appearances, helping Town lift both the league title and the League Cup.

Promotion certainly didn’t slow him down. In his first season at Step 6, Nathan produced another outstanding campaign, scoring 28 goals in 33 games, including a goal in the League Challenge Cup Final as Town lifted yet another trophy.

The following two seasons were unfortunately disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic, but Nathan remained a huge influence throughout. He played a major role in helping Harleston achieve promotion to Step 5, scoring 14 goals in 24 appearances. The only disappointment came when suspension cruelly ruled him out of the play-off final—a match he had done so much to help the club reach.

His first season at Step 5 saw him once again lead from the front, scoring 23 goals in 34 games as Danny Crow’s side achieved the highest league finish in the club’s history with a third-place finish.

Every summer seemed to bring the same conversation. Nathan would smile and say, “One more year.” He’d joke that retirement had finally arrived, but everyone knew there was usually another season left in him. True to form, he returned once again and during the 2023/24 campaign, under Danny Crow and Matt Halliday, he added another 15 goals to his remarkable tally.

While his goals, trophies and records will forever be remembered, what many will miss most is Nathan himself. For nine years we have become accustomed to seeing his smile around the club, hearing his infectious personality in the dressing room and watching him give absolutely everything every single week. Those qualities made him not only a fantastic footballer but an even better teammate and person.

In his farewell message, Nathan thanked Harleston Town FC for helping him fall in love with football again. Those words mean an enormous amount to everyone connected with the club.

Loyalty in football is becoming increasingly rare, particularly at grassroots and non-league level. Nathan’s nine-year commitment is a shining example for every young footballer. His journey proves that loyalty, hard work and dedication can create a legacy that lasts forever.

From everyone at Harleston Town FC—players, staff, volunteers, supporters and committee members—thank you, Nathan.

Thank you for every goal.

Thank you for every battle.

Thank you for every smile.

Most of all, thank you for nine incredible years.

252 appearances.

131 goals.