John Sands cannot wait to play against his former employers Bury Town and has vowed to jump into the crowd if he scores.

The free-scoring front man controversially switched to Ryman Premier League rivals Canvey Island last Friday after handing in a transfer request at Ram Meadow early last week.

And the ex-Cambridge United striker, who scored 59 goals in 105 appearances for the Blues since signing in October 2011, cannot wait to get started at the Essex club and is particularly relishing the next encounter against his former club.

“The move will certainly add a bit of extra spice to proceedings,”said Sands.

“I’m sure it’ll be an entertaining one.

“I imagine I’ll get a fair bit of stick from the Bury fans but I won’t let that bother me in the slightest.”

Canvey beat Bury 1-0 earlier in the season and Sands will be hoping for a similar result when the two meet in what promises to be a Christmas cracker of a fixture on Boxing Day.

Asked if he’d celebrate if he scored, Sands joked: “Definitely. I’ll probably jump into the Bury fans, Hermann Hreidarsson style!”

Sands endured a highly successful spell at Bury, becoming a fans’ favourite as he shot to the top of the Ryman Premier top goalscorer charts last season with 27 goals to his name.

But after enduring a frustrating start to the season this year, in which various injury set-backs haven’t helped, Sands felt it was time for a move away from Ram Meadow.

“I wanted a new challenge,” said Sands.

“I was growing a bit of a frustrated figure at Bury and just wanted a fresh start basically.

“Canvey gave me a very good offer, which I’ve taken, and I’m looking forward to something new.”

Although the departure and move to a team in the same division may have baffled and disappointed fans, Sands looks back on his time at Bury with great affection.

“I had a great time at Bury, I really enjoyed it,” he said.

“I’ve left on good terms.

“I’ve spoken to the chairman, to the manager and all the lads as well, wishing them luck for the rest of the season.

“Football’s football and everyone will all move on.”

Although in action tonight in the Essex Senior Cup, Sands will have to wait until November 9 to make his league debut for Canvey as he is ineligible to play in the club’s Second Qualifying Round FA Trophy game this weekend after playing for Bury in an earlier round.

“I’m buzzing to get going,” he said.

“My groin’s still not 100% but I’m looking forward to start firing again.

“I’ve spoken to the manager (Danny Heale) and I’ve come to Canvey with the intention of firing the club into the play-offs – that’s the aim.”

Currently sitting in 16th position in the league after a little over a quarter of the season gone, Sands will have to put his shooting boots on sharpish if he is to fulfil this aim.

“Danny’s told me they have been playing well but just haven’t scored enough goals (a paltry 10 in the Ryman Premier this season) so it’ll be my job to do that for them – to act as the icing on the cake so to speak,” concluded Sands.