FORMER Saint Kevin Gibbens has been signed on contract by free-scoring Sydenhams Wessex League newcomers VT FC.

The Boatmen, who announced their arrival with a 6-0 slaying of Alton Town on Saturday, have pulled off something of a coup in landing the 24-year-old midfielder, pictured left, who made eight league and cup starts during his time at The Dell.

He becomes one of three contract players at Portsmouth Road, along with prolific marksman Mike Spinney and Gibbens's good friend Scott O'Rourke, the VT goalkeeper, who persuaded him to join the club.

After being released by Saints two summers ago, Gibbens had a successful season with Basingstoke Town in the Ryman Premier Division before embarking on a disappointing spell with Eastleigh, who released him mid-season, citing "lifestyle reasons".

VT boss Dave Diaper gets the impression Gibbens has not been happy with his football in recent seasons and said: "The good thing about it is that he's starting to enjoy himself again. If I can get his appetite back for the game, then I will have done a half-decent job."

Gibbens marked his debut with the opening goal at Alton and it was his centre that set up John McFarlane for number four.

Critics will inevitably question why he is settling for cosy life in the Wessex League, but Diaper said: "Kevin should be playing where he feels he wants to play. The further up the Pyramid you go, the more pressure there is, and it could be that he doesn't want that sort of pressure.

"I've told him he'll get no special attention, praise or pressure at VT and I think he needed to hear that. We've got a good spirit and camaraderie and he seems to be enjoying it."

Diaper is likely to stick with an unchanged side for the Boatmen's cross-Solent trip to Cowes Sports tonight and says anything they get will be a bonus. "I didn't know what to expect at Alton, but getting three points is the equivalent of three draws and I'd have been happy with that from our first three games," he confessed.

Next up for VT is a testing Saturday trip to champions Winchester City, who entertain Downton tonight.