BRACKNELL Town manager Sam Lock has admitted new signing Nicholas Bignall has been on his radar for some time, writes Dave Wright.

"When I was at Maidenhead I tried to get him there three or four times, and when I came to Bracknell he was one of the first names I wanted to sign," revealed Lock.

So the Robins boss was delighted to see Bignall celebrate his debut with a goal in the 2-0 win over Winchester City in last Saturday's friendly at Larges Lane.

Just turned 29, the striker started with Reading FC and went on to play for several Football League clubs, including Cheltenham Town, Stockport County, Southampton and Brentford – all on loan.

He then dropped into non-league, playing for Basingstoke, Gainsborough Trinity and Hungerford, where he stayed until the end of the 2017-18 season.

"He then fell out of love with football a little bit and didn't play at all last season," said Lock.

"But he wanted to come back with a club where the environment is right. He took a bit of time to make a decision, but he has seen what we are trying to create at Bracknell and he wants to be part of it, which is pleasing.

"He is very focussed and committed, and is keen to help out the youngsters we have here. He can play up front or out wide, or just behind the forwards."

Bignall joins fellow new frontmen Lee Barney, Nathan Minhas and Shane Cooper-Clark at Larges Lane, leaving Lock with four quality strikers to choose from.

"I am close to completing my squad," stated the manager, who may bring in one more player who has been listed as a 'trialist' in recent friendly games.

He added: "I will shortly have conversations with players to explain whether they are my first choice or will have to fight for a position.

"Hopefully, I could have my squad finalised by Saturday's game (home to Fleet), so for the rest of the pre-season they will have the chance to get into a tight-knit group by the time the league season starts."

Bignall was joined on the score-sheet against Winchester by another new signing, Dan Bayliss, who has missed much of the pre-season due to injury, both goals coming in the second half.

"They were a very good side," said Lock. "They haven't made many changes in the last two or three seasons, so they were a good test for us.

"The first half was even, but we dominated the second half and could have won by three or four, to be honest."

Bracknell have lost the services of midfielder Kensley Maloney, who has joined Southern League Premier Division South side Harrow Borough.

Lock commented: "Kensley was a player I was keen to keep, but he wants to play at a higher level like and I would never get in the way of a player who wants to try to better himself."

He has also seen Joe Grant and Liam Ferdinand, two other players he wanted to keep, step up a level with Slough and Hungerford respectively.