Head Coach, Glenn Pennyfather, has fended-off competition from a posse of eager clubs to complete the signing of prolific goalscorer Sam Higgins, the leading marksman at East Thurrock United last season.

Higgins, who gained his early experience in the game within the youth set-ups at Millwall and Southend United from 2007/08, set the Ryman League Division One North alight last season as the division’s top scorer. The Rocks missed out on promotion via the play-offs but Glenn is convinced the 19-year-old deserves his chance at a higher level.

“Sam is an exciting prospect for our club,” he said of his recent capture. “He’s had a good pedigree as a kid and scored goals at his level so now we’re looking for him to score more at ours. He is a hard-working boy with good feet and link-up play and he’s at a perfect age for us as we’re looking to build our side around younger players.”

The forward spent time at Bishop’s Stortford on work experience in December 2008 before gaining experience elsewhere in the south-east that season at Fisher Athletic, Brentwood Town and AFC Hornchurch,. He made his latest impact at Rookery Hill with East Thurrock, where he was named Supporters’ Player of the Year last term.