PERSISTENCE has paid off for Winchester City with the signing of Pat Cox from Farnborough.

The powerful forward has put pen to paper for the Evo-Stik South West club after what manager Craig Davis described as “protracted negotiations.”

“It’s taken a while, but we’ve got him!” smiled Davis, who has been both manager and teammate to the 27-year-old striker over the years.

“Pat’s probably not overly known in this area because he’s plied his trade mainly in the Ryman Premier with Hayes & Yeading and Staines,” said Davis.

“But he’s also been with Salisbury and Gosport and he was with me on and off at Fleet.

“I’m really good friends with him and he’s a big signing for us.”

Asked what City can expect from their new frontman, Davis smiled: “He’s not a very nice person to play against!

“He’s one of those that you don’t like playing against but you love him if he’s on your team.

“He’s a big physical presence, strong in the air and a natural goalscorer.

“It’s what we’ve been missing and what we’ve been searching for.

“When we went to Moneyfields the other night, they had Steve Hutchings up front who’s a big unit. Pat’s in the same mould.”

Due to a gentlemen’s agreement with Farnborough boss Spencer Day, Cox is unable to feature against his old club when the sides meet in a pre-season friendly at Winchester's Simplyhealth City Ground on Saturday (3pm).

“It’s a shame, but I’ve got a lot of respect for Spencer and I’m not going to rock the boat,” said Davis.

Happy to be reunited with Davis at Winchester, Cox tweeted: “I've been managed by some top coaches - i.e. Phil Babb and Nicky Forster - but to be playing under Craig Davis again is perfect!”