New Hemel Hempstead Town signing John Frendo has vowed to make a significant impact in the goals department for the Tudors next season following his arrival from arch-rivals St Albans City.
The 30-year-old forward joins from the Clarence Park outfit but revealed that he has been a long-time admirer of the Tudors.
He said: “Dean [Brennan] and Stuart [Maynard] have been after me for a long time and I do admire the way the team plays.
“I often wondered what it would be like playing for Hemel and I think it will suit my style. The timing was just right for me.”
Despite notching 18 goals for St Albans last term, the former Hitchin Town hit-man feels he can improve upon that tally this time out for Town.
“I’m looking to bring goals to the side and I’d like to better what I did last season,” he said.
“It was my first season at this level last year and I had a few issues outside of football that affected the way I played.
“With this clean slate, I want to make a big impact goals-wise.”
Having seen Hemel finish above St Albans in the Vanarama Conference South last season, the striker believes the move is a step up; one that he is eager to make.
“Hemel are a club going places, definitely. You can tell just by the gates the side gets. It’s moving forward and I’m keen to be a part of it.
“With the team also now training in the mornings, it suits my work commitments better than at St Albans, where things weren’t going so well for me.
“Deano has told me he’s hoping for the play-offs or better, which I think we can achieve. It’s a new challenge for me and one I’m looking forward to.”
Tudors boss Brennan was full of praise for his new striker, adding: “For me, I’ve always liked John Frendo and natural goalscorers are good in anyone’s team.
“People might compare him to Ben Mackey but Mackey was more of a back to goal centre-forward, more bullish.
“John is very subtle in his movements, he has fantastic movement, and he is always looking at the goalkeeper. Every time I have seen him play, he has impressed me with his movement alone and his workrate; he works his socks off.
“I’m not sure what happened at St Albans but every time I saw John play I earmarked him. It will suit him playing our style with two up front.
“We now have Frendo, Hawkins, Kabamba and Oli – it gives us four centre-forwards, which we need. Any title-winning side or anyone who wants success needs four centre-forwards.”