After spending the last few months on loan last season from Needham Market, James has joined Brightlingsea Regent permanently to become Regent’s number 1.

“James was excellent for us last season when he came in and having worked with him at Needham I knew he’d bring a calmness and steadying influence to us despite still being a young age especially in goalkeeping terms.

He’s a really popular figure in the changing room and as soon as I knew he was going to be available from Needham I wanted to sign him.

I think for James now there’s an opportunity that he’s not had before in senior football to establish himself as the number 1 at a club and I honestly believe he can and will do that with Brightlingsea Regent.

He’s had a great schooling at Needham, under for me the best goalkeeper coach there is in Nathan Munson and he’s also hungry and ambitious after being loaned out or the back up to now cement his place at this club and this level of football.

He’s about to celebrate his 21st birthday and it’s another player who we’ve signed this pre-season who I feel has a really bright future” said Regent Boss Tom Rothery.