The addition of Read to Aveley’s front line means that, with Jordan Cox, the Millers can now boast the second and joint third top goal-scorers in the Ryman League North as they reach the business end of the season.

Gardner is understandably delighted with the latest addition to his playoff chasing squad saying “it’s a bit of a coup and he’s proven at this level. He scored 30 plus goals last season, and has 29 in all competitions this campaign so it’s a timely boost for us as we go into the business end of the season.”

Read was instrumental in guiding Tilbury into the playoff positions last season, and has scored goals wherever he has played, having played for Redbridge, Romford, and of course Brentwood.

“It means now that we have three top strikers again - Read, Cox and Petrit Elbi - and we’ve still got Shane Oakley to come back so we’re looking quite strong” said Gardner.

League Two Dagenham & Redbridge recently took Read on a four week trial and saw enough of the young striker to invite him back in the summer, and Gardner was full of praise of his latest acquisition, saying “he’s taken a massive pay cut to come play for us and he’s a player that will no doubt play at a higher level. He's someone that I’ve admired for a very long time, just haven’t been able to afford him in the past.”

Gardner concluded by saying that “it’s a great signing and I’d like to welcome him to the club.”

Read - who has scored 20 league goals this season for Brentwood - will go straight into the squad for Wednesday’s rearranged game against one of his former clubs, Romford, at Mill Field. The match is a 7.45pm kick-off which will also see top-scorer Jordan Cox returning from suspension.