MELKSHAM Town have completed their first signing since their promotion to the Southern League after midfielder Jon Davies agreed to commit himself to the club for next season.

Davies arrived at Oakfields in the back-end of the 2017-18 campaign and helped Kieran Baggs’ side secure a runners-up finish in the Toolstation League Premier Division and with it a rise up the non-league pyramid.

He has plenty of experience in the Southern League, having spent the majority of the previous two seasons at Frome Town in the Premier Division, before swapping the Somerset club for Melksham in the final weeks of the campaign.

Melksham chairman Darren Perrin was delighted to seal Davies’ signature on a full-time basis, revealing they have fought off clubs from a higher level to retain his services.

“Jon was very instrumental in helping us gain promotion at the end of the season, and I know he has turned down five or six clubs from a lot higher standard than ourselves,” said Perrin.

“Well done to Kieran in securing this signing and welcome to the Black and Yellow family Jon.”

Davies added: “It has been a quick decision for me, if I’m honest.

“I’ve spoken to a few clubs over the summer, but Melksham were great to me at the end of last season and made me feel really welcome.

“I look forward to playing in the club’s first ever season in the Southern League and it’s an exciting and ambitious club to be a part of.

“I’ve played at the highest level possible for me since I was 18, but now with a young family and work commitments playing a bigger role, it was vital I took that into consideration this season.

“The facilities and the support at Melksham are as good as any I’ve experienced for a long time. That was also a big draw for me.”