STRIKER Tim Sills is hoping he can be the man to fire Basingstoke Town into the Blue Square Premier after signing up for a second spell at The Camrose.

The 31-year-old became Frank Gray’s third new signing of the summer on Friday, when he put pen to paper on a one-year deal.

Sills scored 44 goals in 133 appearances for Town between 1999 and 2002 before going on to play for, amongst others, Aldershot, Torquay and Stevenage. However, the striker does not think that Basingstoke fans saw the best of him during his first spell – something he is keen to put right next season.

“I did not remember how well I had done first time around until I looked at the statistics the other day because I never really felt that I fulfiled my potential,” he said.

“I never really got on with the manager at the time and it will be nice to come back as a senior |player.

“It is a new challenge for me, looking to help the club up to the Blue Square Premier, and I feel like I have unfinished business.

“I would not have come here if the club had not shown a good level of ambition.

“The chairman is looking to take the club forward in the right way and though not a lot has changed since my first spell here, he has a vision and it is an exciting time to be involved. I am hoping to score a lot of goals. I have never done too badly when I have played at this level in the past, but I have not scored many in the last couple of years so it would be nice to hit the back of the net more regularly.”

Gray has been tracking Sills for the past six months and is delighted to have finally got his man.

“Tim will score goals at this level,” the Town boss said.

“He knows where the goal is and we will be looking to get the ball into the box for him as often as we can.”

Sills will be joined at The Camrose by midfielder Wes Daly, who signed on Saturday. The 26-year-old playmaker has spent the last two seasons at Bromley, having previously represented AFC Wimbledon, Maidenhead and Boreham Wood.

“Wes can sit in midfield but he is also a good footballer,” Gray said. “He is a good passer of the ball and likes to play – but he is tenacious as well.”

One player who will not be returning to The Camrose next season is Matt Finlay, who has signed for Southern League outfit Bashley.

Town have announced that they will travel to Thatcham Town for a pre-season friendly on Tuesday August 2, while the Hampshire Senior Cup draw has seen Basingstoke drawn at home to either Hartley Wintney or Team Solent in the second round.