BEN WHITEHEAD celebrated his 23rd birthday on Sunday and is hoping for another party in the spring when his goals have helped Cirencester Town earn promotion back to the Southern Premier.

Whitehead became boss Charlie Griffin’s first attack-minded signing of the close season last week.

And one of the former Swindon Town Academy, Chippenham and Didcot striker’s main motivations was to work with his new boss and assistant Oggie Hunt, both of them prolific goal scorers in their day.

“I went to meet the gaffer and he is very proud about Cirencester Town and the club clearly has a lot of ambition and wants to go straight back up, which suits me as I want to play at a higher level,” said Whitehead.

“Both Charlie and Oggie have played to a high standard and they think they can help me progress.

“I scored 26 goals last season but I was little bit disappointed with that total as there were a couple of months when I wasn’t scoring enough.”

Whitehead sees himself as a natural No.10 and is keen to link up again with Alan Griffin, who was also on the books at Chippenham towards the end of the 2015/16 season.

“I’m not a big target man like Al,” said the left-footed Whitehead, who scored eight of his league goals from the penalty spot with Didcot last season.

“I like to get the ball to feet, turn people and score goals.

“And I’m always confident about putting my hand up to take pens.

“It was a tough decision to leave Didcot. I’m mates with all the lads and manager Andy Ballard, but Charlie sold the club to me so well and I think the new 3G pitch will suit my style.”

Whitehead, a self-employed painter and decorator by trade, lives in Wantage.

He joins Jordan Stoddart and Matt Wieczorek as Griffin’s recent additions to the Cirencester Town squad.

Cirencester Town fans’ favourite Jamie Reid will be returning to the Corinium Stadium when he brings the team he now manages, Hardwicke AFC, to play Town’s Development Squad in a pre-season friendly on the new 3G pitch on Wednesday, July 26 (7.30pm).