With top scorer Tommy-Lee Higgs on his way out of Nyewood Lane, managers Michael Birmingham and Jamie Howell have placed their faith in hiitman Laycock as his replacement. The Portsmouth-born goal-getter, 35, previously with AFC Stoneham, has joined the Rocks from Moneyfields where he was club skipper.

The bosses have been busy with their recruitment drive and thus far this close-season they have confirmed the signings of midfielder Waledin Ahmed, striker Simba Mlambo, schemer Ethan Robb, midfielder Sam Hookey and defender Matt Jones — while Tommy Block Harvey Whyte, Chad Field and Dan Gifford are remaining at the club.

Laycock – who has also had spells at Fareham Town and AFC Portchester – says that he has the ambition to score the goals to provide Bognor with a chance of enjoying a successful campaign following the disappointment of being relegated last season.

He said: “I’m excited and eager for a fresh challenge joining a massive club like Bognor. It was a hard decision to leave Moneyfields as captain but when someone like Bognor comes sniffing you can’t turn an opportunity like that down.

“Hopefully the experience I had last year in this league will prove helpful to hopefully scoring plenty of goals and firing Bognor back up the leagues to where they belong.”