Champions snap up hot-shot Smith

Ryman South champions Burgess Hill Town have snapped up hot-shot Chris Park as they prepare for the Ryman's top flight.

Smith, last season's joint top scorer in Ryman South with 34 goals for newboys South Park, agreed terms with manager Ian Chapman on Wednesday to become his third signing of the summer following the arrival of Josh Jones and Tommy Fraser at the Green Elephants Stadium.

The 23-year-old, pictured, was also named in the Ryman South 'Team of the Year' and won his club's players' and supporters' player of the year accolades in May. He had expressed a desire to play at a higher level at the end of the season after eight years at the Sparks, the last five as top scorer at Whitehall Lane.

Chapman, who is still running the rule over a number of players currently trialling with the Hillians, was delighted to sign the prolific forward.

He said: “I’m delighted to sign Chris who banged in a lot of goals for South Park last season - he is a great addition to our squad which is shaping up nicely.

“He is the type of player we want to bring to Burgess Hill Town FC. Like Tommy and Josh who have joined us this summer, he had plenty of financially better offers but chose to join us as he liked what we are doing and wanted to be a part of it."

In other squad news, defender Will Miles is due to undergo a minor groin operation on Thursday but is expected to return to training for the end of pre-season.

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