BILLERICAY Town have completed the signing of centre-back Luke Wilson from Bowers & Pitsea.

The 26-year-old centre-back has been snapped up by Town boss Craig Edwards.

And, although Wilson is looking forward to testing himself at Ryman Premier League level, he remains sad to have left Bowers.

“I’m happy to have joined Billericay but it was a very hard decision for me to make,” said Wilson.

“I had been with Bowers for two and a half years and everyone involved with the club and every single one of the boys really mean a lot to me.

“Smallsy (Bowers boss Rob Small) in particular has been a massive part of my development and I must also thank (assistant manager) Frank Everett for his wise words.

“But I’m looking forward to the challenge.”

Billericay have started the season well and are currently ninth in the Ryman Premier League standings.

Wilson will be keen to help Town continue their recent run of results after joining the club following a conversation with a close friend of the manager.

“The move came around from a chat with one of Craig’s friends at which point Craig asked me to give him a call,” explained Wilson.

“I’m expecting the step up to be a challenge but at Bowers we played some very good football and Smallsy and Frank had us playing at a standard they feel will be successful in that league.”

However, Wilson will have to wait to make his Billericay debut as he is cup tied for their FA Trophy clash with Ryman North leaders Maldon & Tiptree tomorrow.

And Town boss Edwards feels his side will have to be at their best if they are to make it through to the next round.

“If we’re on it and we’re playing the way we can then it’s a game we will win but Maldon are a good side and they’re top of their league for a reason,” said Edwards.

“They’re having a good season but so are we and we’re coming into this game in really good form ourselves.

“We’ve won our last seven home games, we’re unbeaten in our last seven league games and we’ve only lost one game in 13.

“That defeat came against Maidstone, who are a National League club, in the FA Cup, so we’re doing well.

“It would be nice to keep that run going in the Trophy and we would certainly like to get as far as we can in this competition.

“It’s certainly one we will be taking seriously.

“But right now we’re just thinking about making sure we beat Maldon.”