The club are pleased to confirm that the transfer of top scorer Josh March to Sky Bet League 2 club Forest Green Rovers for an undisclosed fee has been completed.

The 22 year old striker only joined Brakes last summer from Alvechurch, where he scored 81 goals in 184 games and helped the Worcestershire club to back to back promotions.

Paul Holleran moved quickly to snap him up in the summer and in a little under half a season he has been a revelation, scoring 24 goals in 27 appearances.

While the Leamington boss was sad to be losing his star striker so soon he was thrilled to have been able to play a part in helping him to realise his dream of turning professional.

‘We are absolutely delighted to see Josh make the step up into the Football League,’ said Holleran. He had a number of clubs looking at him and he spoke to several of them, but has made the decision that Forest Green Rovers is the right move for him. He is moving to an upwardly mobile, ambitious club with good football people. Director of Football Richard Hughes watched Josh several times, and in Mark Cooper they have a very good manager who I am sure will get the best out of him.

‘It’s been an epic rise for Josh and he has been helped along the way by some great non league football people, none more so than Ian Long and Richard Thorndike (Josh’s manager and Chairman at Alvechurch). We’re just pleased to have been able to play a part and put the cherry on the top for him if you like.

‘I said the same thing to Forest Green as I said to John Coleman at Accrington about Colby Bishop - you won’t be disappointed with the boy. These young players are infectious with their desire to succeed, and we will be keeping a close eye on Josh’s progress, as we do with all of the players who have progressed into the professional game after playing for Leamington.

It’s great to see that young players do still have a pathway into the professional game and can get themselves noticed playing in Non League. Josh has really earned his chance with his performances and goals for us this season, and our greatest wish for him now is that he settles in quickly at Forest Green and hits the ground running, much like he did for Leamington. We wish him all the very best and thank him for his considerable contribution during his short time with us.’

Chairman Jim Scott said ‘ Whilst we are disappointed to lose Josh we are delighted with the tremendous progress he has made since joining us, and wish him all the very best in his career going forward.’

Richard Hughes, director of football at Forest Green Rovers, said: 'Josh is a player we have done a lot of work on. He has a very good goal scoring this year and have watched him on six or seven occasions.

'He has got a really good pedigree, has scored goals on his way up through the leagues and, in terms of his personality, he is our kind of player, very humble, has worked other jobs and is keen to be stepping into full-time football. He fits our profile as a person as well as a footballer.

'It’s a massive step up but these are the players we want to give the opportunities to. We can go and do what other teams do and recycle the same League Two players, but finances dictate and we want to be the club that gives players those opportunities.

'He’s a natural goal scorer, is a confident young man and backs his ability.'

As part of the deal agreed between the two clubs we will welcome Forest Green for a pre season friendly in the summer.

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The Media Team spoke to Josh after Saturday’s game against Altrincham….

On behalf of all at the club we’d like to congratulate you on your move into the professional game Josh. How does it feel?

‘I can’t describe it really. The last few days have been really stressful but you’d take it all day long really! I can’t thank the gaffer enough for what he’s done for me over the past few days - he’s been constantly calling me - I think he’s happier than me to be honest! I can’t thank him or Mike Fowler enough for what they’ve done for me. I can’t wait to get going now.’

Did you think you’d be at Leamington for such a short space of time when you signed from Alvechurch in the summer?

Not really, no. When I first came in I saw Colby Bishop and thought I might get pushed out wide, then obviously he got his big move, I got my head down and I haven’t looked back really. The goals came, I’ve got more and more as the season has gone on, and my confidence has risen.’

So you haven’t found the step up too difficult at all then really?

‘It’s a confidence thing isn’t it really, if you’re scoring goals it all falls into place. If you’re confident in front of goal, when you get your chances you take them.’

Is it right that you didn’t really play as a number nine at Alvechurch?

‘I did a bit but not too much. I got shoved out wide a lot, in the hole as a number ten. Obviously when I was 18/19 I hadn’t filled out much, it’s taken a few years, but I played out there, got my head down and grafted. There’s been ups and downs but I got there in the end. The hard work starts now!’

Have you had to adapt your game much this season then?

‘I wouldn’t say so, no. My game is just working hard, if I get chances I take them. Whatever comes along with it, I take.’

I’m sure you’ve seen the comments on Twitter about ‘diving’! As we pointed out, how many times have you been booked for ‘diving’ this season? None, as far as we know!

‘I wouldn’t say I dive - I buy the fouls. I get between the ball and the man and it’s up the defenders to get it back. If I feel contact in the box I’m going to go down. It’s part of the art of being a striker.’

How do you think the lads will get on without you now?

‘I think they’ll be alright. It was a poor result today but I’ve heard that they were unlucky on New Years Day, and they had a good result at Hereford without me so I think they’ll be fine, they’ll find their feet. And to be fair with what the gaffer has done so far with strikers, he’ll find another one, straight away.’

Will you keep an eye out for our results?

‘Of course, it’ll be one of the first ones I look for!’

What will you take away from your time at Leamington?

‘I’ve enjoyed it so much. I didn’t think I was going to enjoy it as much as I have, in a new environment, having been at Alvechurch for so long with the same bunch of lads and the same manager, but to be fair the lads made me feel welcome straight away and I’ve enjoyed it more and more every week really. It’s the main thing to have really, a high spirited dressing room, especially if you’re a bit lower down in the table. To avoid relegation you need a good spirit, and bad result or good result, we all stick together no matter what.’

Thanks for everything you’ve done for Leamington Josh, and good luck!