Ambitious Eaton Socon have pulled off a major signing to spearhead their challenge for promotion from the Cambs League next season.

Manager Mark Spavins has completed the capture of striker Lee Bassett as his side go in search of Kershaw Premier Division glory.

Bassett has been a prolific figure in non-league football in recent years, scoring 170 goals for United Counties League side Eynesbury Rovers between 2011 and 2016.

But he will now be playing his football a couple of miles away and a couple of levels lower for an Eaton Socon side who also have designs on climbing the ladder.

The move means Bassett will be reunited with a familiar face in fellow frontman Shane Fox – a former strike-partner at two previous clubs as well as a close friend.

Spavins said: “Lee is a massive signing for us and quite probably the biggest the club has ever made.

“It is a huge coup to be able to attract a player of Lee’s quality to Eaton Socon. You only have to look at his goalscoring record to see what he brings to the table.

“We will be over the moon if he scores anywhere near the amount of goals for us that he has done at Eynesbury.

“He has already fitted in very well as he knew a fair few of the lads before joining.

“Lee and Shane have played together at St Neots Reserves and Eynesbury, and we’re certainly hoping they can be successful again.

“They are best mates as well as being very good players.”

Bassett will more than fill the void left by the departure of Scott Kingsbury, who hit 19 goals for Eaton Socon last season – three fewer than top-scorer Ben Wilks.

Kingsbury has joined reigning champions Great Shelford for 2016/17 after moving to the outskirts of London.

Bassett will be gracing the newly-named Mick George Stadium next term after Eaton Socon received backing from the Huntingdonshire-based company.

The River Road venue has undergone extensive improvements, with new dugouts installed along with a perimeter fence.

New showers will also be in place for the start of the new campaign as part of a revamp of the dressing rooms.

Spavins added: “The ground looks superb and we’re very grateful for the backing and support of Mick George. We’re very close to having everything in place to make it ready for Step 6 football and now it is over to myself and the lads to ensure we perform on the pitch.

“A top-five finish is the requirement and we are very upbeat after finishing fourth last season despite starting the season very slowly.

“That was understandable as we had a new manager in myself and a host of new players, but we showed everyone what we could do to get into the title mix.”

Eaton Socon began their preparations for the new campaign by beating Needingworth United in a friendly last Friday night.

Josh Spavins hit a hat-trick in a 6-0 victory against lower-level opposition. Fox struck twice with Robert Gooch getting the other goal.