Raffa Links Up With The Terras (Again)

Raphael Nade

Ivorian-born right winger Nade has had a change over his heart over his decision to end his two-month loan spell with Weymouth in order to return to Carlisle to fight for his first-team place. Raffa has been in sparkling form for the Terras during his loan spell in Dorset and has bagged nine goals in nine starts, plus one as a substitute, including a hat-trick at home to Newport County at the start of this month. His efforts have seen Weymouth consolidate their position at the top of the Conference South table with the full-time club going all out to gain promotion to the Conference National for next season.

Infact his excellent run of scoring led Terras manager Garry Hill to make an undisclosed bid for the man United paid £30,000 to Woking for in the summer of 2005. Nade, who joined Carlisle on a two year contract, has made 23 appearances for the Cumbrians so far this season, scoring two goals along the way. His last run out for the Blues was in the 4-0 home win over Bury at the start of January, when he came on to replace Karl Hawley, but his appearances have been limited in the first team recently.

After having talks with Blues boss Paul Simpson this week on his return from the South Coast it has become evident that Nade was not interested in signing for Weymouth on a permanent deal. With no injuries in the Carlisle squad and the lads in cracking form it was always going to be difficult for Raffa to find a place in the first-team and it seemed a sensible decision for him to go back down to the Wessex Stadium to complete a, maximum allowed, 93-day loan spell. Nade will go straight into the Weymouth squad for their away game at play-off chasing Welling United on Saturday, ironically the club Raffa played for before signing for Woking in November 2002.