STRIKER Mark Gamble immediately targeted promotion after stepping down a division to sign for ambitious Wimborne Town.

Gamble described the move as “one step back to take two forward” after becoming the second higher-level player to join Steve Cuss’s promotion contenders.

The former Farnborough and Winchester City frontman will join former Bashley team-mate James Stokoe in penning a one-year deal at Cuthbury.

And Wimborne’s new marksman, who scored 63 goals in 163 appearances during four years at Bash, hinted that Cuss could be adding more recruits before the Southern League Division One South & West campaign kicks off.

Gamble told the Daily Echo: “Bringing in experienced players from a higher level signals the club’s intent.

“Wimborne want to have a good go and achieve promotion.

“It is hard to assemble a team to win a league, but I have looked at the squad and they have a lot of good young players and the manager likes to play the right way.

“Wimborne should be looking to challenge and, hopefully, with the additions we have made and a few more faces to come, we can be a force to be reckoned with.

“It was a tough choice to step down a level but Steve Cuss and the chairman have done a great job and they really sold the club to me.

“My first priority is to score a lot of goals to repay their faith and, hopefully, we can gain promotion next season.”

Meanwhile, the 26-year-old forward expressed his thanks to the Cuthbury outfit for the way they handled the transfer.

Gamble added: “I would like to say I am very grateful to Wimborne for their conduct and being so patient while I resolved my situation at Bashley.”