LUKE SOULE hopes he can fire Shortwood United back to the top.

Soule, who smashed 40 goals in two seasons at Stonehouse Town is relishing the chance to make his mark at the Nailsworth club.

"I'm very pleased to sign," said Soule. "Shortwood is a big club with great potential to get back up to where it should be."

Shortwood suffered relegation from the Western League Premier Division last season after pulling out of the Southern League the previous campaign when the loss of a major sponsor’s income sparked a mass player exodus.

This season, Shortwood find themselves in the Hellenic League Division One West alongside Soule's former club Stonehouse and the striker insists his decision to switch was a no-brainer.

"I had no second thoughts about leaving for Shortwood," admitted Soule,21, who played under his father at the Magpies last season.

"Mat Blythe, joint manager with Jason Scrivens and coach Simon Blythe are a great team, so the decision was easy for me.

"I really believe Shortwood are a club that will be back on up this season, with the appointments of Mat and Simon coming into the club to join Jason, there is huge potential here, with a lot of young talented players."

And Shortwood could benefit from Soule's off-field activities.

He said: "I work in sports nutrition (Nutrition X) a leading sports nutrition company, supplying supplements to support athletic performance across a range of disciplines."

Soule will miss Shortwood's opening pre-season game against Chris Barker's Forest Green Academy, but he wants to hit the ground running when he returns from his holiday with his partner and baby.

He said: "I’ve had a good few weeks back in training, but won’t be playing on Monday as I’m off on holiday for a week, but I will be ready for the rest of pre-season when I return."