Hailsham manager Mark Leaney has signed Lewes midfielder Sam Taylor.

Taylor is at the University of Liverpool but has also signed Ryman League Division Three forms with Lewes.

During term time in Merseyside, he has trained with Liverpool but he has also played for Irish League outfit Shelbourne and has signed for Welsh League team Caernarfon Town.

The 19-year-old winger from Hastings played for Lewes last season but is currently on a three-year football degree at John Moores University, where as part of the course he has rubbed shoulders with Michael Owen, Robbie Fowler and Patrik Berger on the training pitch.

Leaney is delighted with his latest addition and also hopes to take striker Lee Sale of Wealden to the Beaconsfield.

Leaney said: "He is a big, strong centre forward and that is where we have been lacking a bit lately. We seem to get it right in one area of the pitch, defending well and conceding few goals, but we then manage to score only one goal in four games.

"Hopefully, we can put the two together and get it right all over the pitch."

The Hailsham boss will be able to talk to Sale this weekend while he is still negotiating with Langney Sports manager Garry Wilson as he tries to bring Simon Colbran to his title chasing division two side.

Leaney's short, sharp shock treatment for the three players Leaney suspended for five weeks for going out on the town the night before a game seems to have paid dividends.

Steve Monk, Russell Tanner and Martin Richardson were all suspended by Leaney but have since battled their way back into the side.

Leaney said: "They have worked their socks off since the incident. I think they felt they were wrong but they have bounced back and forced their way into the side and I am delighted."