Halstead Town manager Mark Benterman feels the signing of Tom Holdstock is the first in the “show of intent” that the Humbugs want to make this season.

Benterman is building his squad in preparation for a promotion push in Thurlow Nunn League division one and feels former Heybridge Swifts and FC Clacton striker Holdstock is a player with the firepower to score more than 20 goals this season.

But the Halstead boss isn’t stopping there as he anticipates a big summer of new additions.

He said: “Tom’s signing is the first, but there are others in the pipeline that I feel show a statement of intent for what we want to achieve this season.

“I have known Tom for a number of years and have tried to get him to sign for me every year.

“Thankfully he’s now agreed and we’re over the moon to have him on board.

“He is in his early 20s, so is young still and very keen to prove himself and I believe he is a 20-goal-a-season man if he’s played in the right role.

“Look at videos of him playing and the goals he scores are phenomenal, but a lot of his energy has been used outside the danger area in the past and I want to channel it with him getting in the box more. Tom is a natural goal scorer, a natural finisher and I believe hand on heart that he’ll get goals for us to be the player that replaces Jordan Palmer.”

Holdstock isn’t the only new addition to arrive at Rosemary Lane this week, though.

He is joined by midfielder Richard Abbott, who has come to Halstead from AFC Sudbury.