Striker Tim Berridge has become Paul Holleran's first new signing of the summer as the Brakes boss continues preparations for the club's return to the National League North.
The 26 year old has spent the last 6 seasons at Coalville Town, having joined the Ravens from Dunkirk in his native Nottingham back in 2018. He adpated to Step 3 football effortlessly, finishing as either club or league top scorer regularly, including last season, which sadly for now looks to be Coalville's last. Tim scored almost 100 goals in nearly 250 games for the Ravens, and feels he is now ready to step up and test himself at Step 2 in the National League North with the Brakes.
'I'm very happy to have signed for Leamington, and am looking forward to the new season. I know Leamington are a club that have been in and around Step 2 football for a number of years. My ambition this season is to play at Step 2. It was definitely an aim of mine to take the step up this season. I feel like Leamington are a great club that know this level well and I am hoping I can help the club have a successful season. I have had several conversations with Paul over the last few weeks; he has been very honest and welcoming and I am looking forward to working under his management this season and scoring plenty of goals.'
The manager was delighted to have got his man after tracking his progress for some time: 'Tim is a player that is well known in the Midlands area, and has come to our attention on more than one occasion. He's a player that we've enquired about before, but we're delighted to finally be able to bring him to Leamington.
'He's consistently scored goals throughout his career, and is another one that has come up the non league pyramid and worked really hard. He did really really well at Coalville, and was probably unfortunate on more than one occasion not to end up in the National League with them.
'He's in his mid 20's now, and is desperate to ply his trade in the National League. Like so many boys he's got that experience now - 6, 7 8 seasons of non league football under his belt; he's consistently scored goals year after year - all types of goals. He's a good character, a good personality and we are really looking forward to working with him. I think he could quite easily follow the same path as other lads we have had. We're delighted to get this one over the line.'
We would like to welcome Tim and his family to Leamington FC, and hope he enjoys a successful time with us.
Photo courtesy of Chris Simpson
