SAM Warrell turned down several moves before deciding that Swindon Supermarine was the place for him to claim the number one jersey.

The goalkeeper joined the Webb’s Wood Stadium club on Thursday following a brief spell in Hellenic League Division One West with Old Woodstock.

Having started the season as North Leigh’s number one, Warrell was sidelined through injury for several weeks and once fit again, could not regain his place back from Forest Green loanee Paul White.

The 24-year-old subsequently dropped down two divisions to Old Woodstock, but retained his desire to return to Southern League Division One South & West.

And when Marine were left without a keeper following loanee Conor Thompson’s departure, it presented the ideal opportunity for the Oxfordshire-based Warrell to do just that.

“It seems like a good setup and it looks like they are going forward, so it seemed right to move up to that league,” he said.

”I want to play every week in the Southern League and Swindon is a good club and not too far from me.

“I had a few offers from other clubs but they didn’t really interest me and then Swindon came in, and I met Webby (boss Dave Webb) on Thursday and signed.

“North Leigh let the seven days pass so we could speak earlier and then what Webby had to say was good, so I thought to sign was the right decision.

“I think I needed a new club because I needed to push myself to impress.

“Every time I’ve played Swindon in the past they have always had a decent setup and it’s a nice little club that’s well-run.”

Warrell was only familiar with one other Marine player before signing, his fellow North Leigh old boy Mark Flanagan, but says he has been welcomed into the fold by his new teammates.

“I only kind of knew Mark before I came here, but I trained with them on Thursday and Saturday and the group seemed quite good,” said Warrell.

“There’s lads in the team from Witney and Burford so I can jump in a car with them when we have a game or training, so it’s not like I’m travelling on my own.

”I will try and help the team get in the play-offs and then see what Webby wants to do at the end of the season and what his plans are for next year.”