BILLY Crook is looking forward to showing what he can do at a higher level after joining Braintree Town from Enfield Town this summer.

The 26-year-old central midfielder was part of an impressive team display as Braintree hosted Southend United in pre-season action at the Ironmongery Direct Stadium last weekend.

His tenacity in the Iron’s engine room and creativity going forward caught the eye and showed why boss Brad Quinton had been so keen to bring the former Peterborough Town youngster with him from Enfield.

Crook had been Quinton’s pick as Manager’s Player-of-the-Season last year, having scored 17 goals and made 17 assists and the talented youngster is excited to be moving up from step three to step two football.

He said: “I had a good season last year and I feel the higher that I go, the more I have to show.

“With better players and the way Brad plays, it suits me down to a tee.

“It’s the same with a lot of the boys who Brad has got in and that’s why he’s got us down here.

“We can play football, be brave and express ourselves.”

Braintree are due to continue their pre-season with two further eye-catching home games against Football League opponents this week - Colchester United on Saturday (kick-off 3pm) and then against Barnet on Tuesday (kick-off 7.45pm) when fans could see the return of former favourite Simeon Akinola. Of the current crop, though, Crook is one of a number of players who Quinton has brought over from Enfield and the midfielder thinks having a core within the squad who know each other well will only benefit their new employers.

“It helps that there are a number who have come over,” he added.

“We’re starting with a fresh team together but we know what Brad wants from us.

“A lot of the other boys are ones who we played against in the season last year so they also know what we are about.

“We got in early and we’re gelling well - we’re all young and hungry.

“Brad likes the team to work hard on and off the ball and to attack in numbers.

“He wants us to play with speed.

“During last season, we were a good team to watch and if we can take our chances and be clinical then that’s how he wants us to play.

“He wants us to play out from the back when we can because we have the players to do that and to trust each other.”