The time has come for me to take up a new challenge and try to emulate the success I’ve had at Harlow, says Tonbridge Angels' summer arrival Alex Read

TONBRIDGE ANGELS manager Steve McKimm has made Alex Read his marque signing of the summer.

Read's contract at their Bostik Premier Division rivals Harlow Town has expired so McKimm has swooped to bring in the prolific striker to Longmead Stadium yesterday.

Read joined Harlow in July 2013 and has gone on to become one of the Essex club’s prolific strikers.

In his first season he scored an incredible 52 League and cup goals, breaking a 25-year club record for the number of goals scored in one season.

The next season he produced 42 goals, followed by another 38 goals during the 2015-16 campaign to help the Hawks win promotion to the Isthmian League Premier Division.

Read scored 178 goals in just 278 appearances in a Harlow shirt and is the club’s second all-time scorers list, behind Marc Salmon, who notched 198 goals.

Harlow Town manager Danny Chapman told www.harlowtownfootballclub.co.uk: “It’s been a pleasure working with Alex over the past five years and I’d like to thank him for everything he’s given during his time with the club. I wish him all the best for the future.”

Read added: “The time has come for me to take up a new challenge and try to emulate the success I’ve had at Harlow.”

Tonbridge Angels boss McKimm told www.tonbridgeangelsonline.co.uk: “Alex is a player I have admired for a number of seasons now and his goalscoring record speaks for itself.  I’m thrilled that he has decided to join us to become an important component of the squad.”

McKimm has also enticed central defender James Folkes back to Longmead Stadium, having made 42 appearances for Bostik North Division side Grays Athletic last season.

Folkes, 28, who made 128 appearances for Tonbridge Angels during his first spell at the club, left  to sign for the Essex side in February 2017.

Visit Tonbridge Angels’ website: www.tonbridgeangelsonline.co.uk