Leon Ottley-Gooch insists the time was right to leave Ryman Premier promotion hopefuls Leiston, after joining Bury Town until the end of the season.

The former Hadleigh United man has moved to Ram Meadow, joining Ben Chenery’s side’s promotion push, having found his first-team chances limited this season.

Ottley-Gooch, who leaves Leiston after seven-and-a-half years, follows striker Christy Finch – who has joined Norwich United – out of Victory Road and will be in Bury’s squad for the Boxing Day game at Soham Town.

“I have not been getting much game time and I spoke to the manager (Glenn Driver) who said he would rather me get some first-team football under my belt,” said Ottley-Gooch, whose new team are just two points off the play-off places.

“Bury got on the phone and Ben Chenery sold the club to me. Hopefully I can boost the squad and help them push forwards.

“I was quite versatile at Leiston and I will play wherever the manager wants me to at Bury. I am excited at the prospect of working with someone new.”

Ottley-Gooch enjoyed a lot of success during his time with Leiston and hopes Glenn Driver’s men can create some more come the end of the season, while having his own ambitions with Bury.

“That (promotion) is what we are going for (at Bury),” he revealed.

“It would be nice to get back in the Premier Division, it’s a big club with a big fanbase.”

As for Leiston, he added: “I think they can (win promotion) when you look at some of the signings Glenn has made to go with the old core of players they already have.

“I’ve some good memories from there. There is a lot of good people at the club and I have no hard feelings.

“Winning the Ridgeons League then going straight through to the Premier Division and establishing ourselves was memorable, while there was my hat-trick against Potters Bar also stands out.”