Mildenhall Town’s returning striker John Sands says he has plenty more years in the tank to keep banging in the goals.

Mildenhall Town’s returning striker John Sands says he has plenty more years in the tank to keep banging in the goals.

The 31-year-old is making the switch from Needham Market to Recreation Way, Mildenhall, next season, the club he began his football path with.

It’s a drop from Step 3 to Step 4 in the non-league pyramid but Sands admits it was more than only a football decision to join Dean Greygoose’s Mildenhall side.

“I have other commitments in my life right now, as well as football, and I needed to take that on board,” the former Ryman League Premier Division Golden Boot winner said.

“It’s no secret I have always wanted to go back to Mildenhall, so it’s great that I can do so.

“It’s a club I know well and I have lots of friends there.

“It was a difficult decision to make because Needham Market and Richard Wilkins have been very good to me.

“Wilks especially, has been more than just a football manager. I appreciate all he has done.

“With Mildenhall there will be a lot less travelling than I would have had at Needham, who are now in the Southern League, not the Ryman anymore.”

There is little doubt Needham’s loss will be Mildenhall’s gain as Sands has always known where the net is. Although injured at the start of last season, he came back to help the Marketmen seal their Ryman Premier survival with a month of the season still to go.

And he goes into next season in buoyant mood.

“There are plenty more years in me yet to keep banging in the goals,” he added.

“Mildenhall have got a good squad and plenty of good players. I’m confident we are in for a good season and I can’t wait to get started.”

Greygoose’s Mildenhall suffered a great deal with injuries last season after a fine run in the FA Trophy during their debut campaign at Step 4.

But they survived, despite taking just one point out of a possible 30 from their final 10 league games.

n Eastern Counties Premier side Framlingham Town are seeking to appoint an FA Level 2 qualified coach to the first team. Please contact either liamabraham@btinternet.com or james.cantrell@keme.co.uk