National League North side Needham Market sign striker Teddy Collis from Brightlingsea Regent

Despite scoring four goals without reply during yesterday’s victory over Oxford City, Needham Market manager Tom Rothery has decided to bolster his attacking options.

The Marketmen boss has moved to bring in Teddy Collis – a scorer of 15 goals in all competitions for Isthmian League North Division outfit Brightlingsea Regent this season.

Collis, who found the back of the net during his final appearance for Regent yesterday afternoon, has previously played for Maldon & Tiptree and FC Clacton.

The 20-year-old forward said: “My manager Ryan (Salter) at Brightlingsea dropped me a message saying ‘Needham has put a seven-dayer in for you’ (and) I was instantly interested.

“I obviously accepted it and a few days later I began speaking to Tom at Needham. It took a few days to come to a decision but what made it much simpler was watching them play against Hereford and speaking to Tom in person.

“The style of play and the aggression to be on the front foot suits me down to the ground. Also the set-up at Needham is unreal. I want to play at the highest level I can play at and I believe this was a great step for me to doing that.

“It was a tough decision leaving behind all the good work I have done at Brightlingsea. They’re an unbelievable club with great fans and players. And also a big shout out to Salts, who has helped me the most through my time in non-league. I wish them the best for the season. Now my focus is on Needham.”

Meanwhile, Rothery added: “Teddy is a really exciting player. He’s done brilliantly in the past 18 months or so at Step 4 with a club I know well, scoring a lot of goals and plenty of assists too.

“I really like his character he’s got a real confidence and swagger about him so it’ll be interesting to see what he does with us but I’m expecting big things.”

Collis could make his debut for Needham away at South Shields next weekend with his new club sitting three points above the National League North’s relegation zone.