Manager Bobby Wilkinson has pulled off another major coup be persuading former England International Nicky Shorey to join his Crusaders squad for the 2016/17 National League South campaign.

Shorey became the first Reading player in over 100 years to be capped by England in May 2007 when Steve McLaren called him up to the senior squad and he made his debut in England's first match at the new Wembley Stadium in a 1-1 draw against Brazil. Shorey earned his second and final England cap on 22 August 2007 in a 2–1 friendly defeat to Germany at Wembley.

Nicky Shorey, now aged 35, plays as a left-back or a defensive midfielder and after beginning his career at Leyton Orient, Shorey moved to Reading in 2001, where he made just under 300 appearances over seven years while helping the side reach the Premier League. He joined Aston Villa in 2008 and made 24 first team appearances before being loaned out to Nottingham Forest and Fulham. He joined West Bromwich Albion for £1.3 million in July 2010, making 53 Premier League appearances over two seasons with the club.

After four years away from the club, Shorey rejoined Reading in July 2012, but could only manage 21 appearances when he joined Bristol City the following season. He later moved on to play for Portsmouth in January 2014, and then Indian Super League side Pune City in the summer of 2015. After playing in every game for Pune City, Shorey returned to England in January 2016 with League One club Colchester United.