HEREFORD FC have signed a striker who scored 57 goals in a higher league last season.

John Mills' tally for Didcot Town in Southern League Division One South & West was the highest in the top four leagues of the non-league pyramid.

And he is joined at Hereford by his strike partner Pablo Heysham, who scored 13 goals.

Hereford FC manager Pete Beadle said he was delighted to have signed the duo.

“We’ve worked hard on bringing the pair here and we’re pleased that we have managed to beat off some stiff competition for their signatures," Beadle told Hereford's official website.

“From the moment we got in touch they have been excited by the prospect of joining this great club, and have been impressed by the fantastic support that they have seen.

“They obviously know each others game, something which can only be an advantage to our side.”

Bulls Chairman Jon Hale added “We are delighted to have signed two proven goal scorers.

"They are players who have solid experience, and a track record of scoring goals at a higher level than the one we will be playing at this season.”

 “Peter has assembled a very competent squad within the competitive budget we have given him, and we hope John and Pablo will provide us with an attacking edge that is critical at any level to be successful.

“We are committed to providing the manager with the finances to compete at the top end of the Midland Football League, whilst maintaining our commitment to running the club in a cautious and sustainable fashion."

Didcot joint-manager Ian Concannon said the pair were offered " a lot of money" to join Hereford.

"They have been offered a lot of money to go and he’ll (Mills) be playing for Hereford on Saturday," Concannon told the Oxford Mail.

“At the end of last season, we understood he (Mills) would be going elsewhere to play at a higher level.

“He had various trials at other clubs and we offered him a deal, but Hereford have come in and offered him a serious amount of money, which we could not match.

“It’s been fairly amicable, but it’s disappointing he’s gone. I don’t know how we will replace him.

“We’re happy with the squad we have got, but it’s never easy when you lose someone who has scored 57 goals for you. It’s a hell of a void, but we’ll just have to shop about.

“It’s a blow, a big blow and I’m not particularly happy about it.

"But the door is open to them to come back if it doesn’t work out. And from a selfish point of view, I hope it doesn’t.”