Goal machine Josh Ford is the latest player to commit himself to Holbeach United for next season.
The former Moulton Harrox and Spalding United striker bagged 21 goals for Wisbech Town in the UCL Premier Division last term and fired an amazing 61 for Pinchbeck United Sunday as they won a quadruple.
The Tigers swooped to seal a deal for the South Holland-based hitman after Dick Creasey’s resignation from Wisbech on Tuesday – and boss Darren Jarvis believes he and number two Tom Roberts have landed a top local talent.
Jarvis said: “I’m absolutely thrilled to secure Josh’s signature for next season.
“We’ve been speaking to him for some time, as he’s a top, top local talent and exactly the type of player we wanted to bring to the club.
“Like Jamie Stevens, he absolutely buys in to what myself and Tom Roberts are creating at the club and buys in to what the club are striving to achieve.
“He turned down a lucrative offer to commit to Holbeach United – so I’ve got no doubt whatsoever what Josh’s motivations are.
“Irrelevant of what may or may not be happening at Wisbech, I believe we would have secured his services.”
For Jarvis, signing Ford ends a four-year pursuit that stretches back to the striker’s days as a raw talent for Moulton in the Peterborough League.
Since then, he’s played for Spalding, Boston Town and Wisbech in the UCL – and has become one of the most sought-after forwards in the division.
Jarvis failed to bring him to either Blackstones or Peterborough Northern Star, but has now got his man.
Jarvis added: “On a personal level, I’ve finally got my man! Josh is a player that I’ve been trying to sign for the last four years.
“We both said that, at some point, we were destined to have a player/ manager relationship and it’s finally happened.
“I’m genuinely excited about the forthcoming season – with the players that we’ve retained and new players that we’re bringing in, I believe we can compete with the very best.
“We’ve possibly still got one or two more players to add to our squad, but hopefully we’ll have everyone on board and in place before pre-season starts.”
Ford may not be the only Wisbech player arriving at Carter’s Park.
The Tigers also have an interest in former favourite Tommy Treacher, midfielder Steven Reid and the versatile Luke Wilson.
