St Neots Town joint-boss Andy Davies is ‘ecstatic’ after winning the race to capture sought-after striker James Hall.

Saints are understood to have beaten off competition from three rival Southern League Premier Division clubs for the prolific frontman, who struck 43 goals last season in spells at Godmanchester Rovers and Cambridge City.

And that is the sort of explosive form that made the 26 year-old the number one summer target for Davies, who now occupies the Saints helm along with Robbie O’Keefe.

Davies said: “I have made no secret of the fact that James is the player I really wanted to be able to sign this summer.

“We were well aware of interest from at least three other clubs at our level and we put an improved offer on the table this week.

“We’re all ecstatic that James has agreed to join St Neots Town and I’m confident he can score us somewhere in the region of 20-25 goals for us next season.

“This is the right club and the right management for James, and he is definitely the right player for us.

“There is no better forward in this area and there is no doubt in my mind he could go on to play at a higher level as well.

“He is certainly in the best shop window here at St Neots given our links with Stevenage.”

Hall struck 28 times for Godmanchester last season and then added a further 15 goals at Step 3 level for Cambridge City after joining them in early February.

He has now signed a one-year contract and followed the lead of twin brother, Jonny, in joining Saints. The left-back agreed a move from Godmanchester last month.

Both siblings also played for the club as youngsters.

St Neots are still chasing further targets as they bid to complete a squad they hope will be capable of bettering the 20th place finish of last term when they ended up just four points above the relegation zone.

Davies added: “We’re speaking to two defensive players and another forward, and hopefully we can bring them all in.

“We want to hit the ground running and be on the front foot from the first whistle on the first day of the season.”