GRAVESEND manager Liam Daish is banking on new striker Charlie MacDonald scoring the goals to lift the club in their first full-time season.

And the player said he is "looking forward to scoring plenty of goals" for the club.

Daish made the 24-year-old former Charlton striker his first major summer signing after snapping him up on a one-year deal following his departure from Weymouth.

Daish said: "When you look at our record last season and the 20 goals managed by four strikers, it’s easy to see that we had problems up front.

"When Charlie became available I moved for him immediately because he has a proven track record. He has also scored goals against teams I’ve managed so I’ve seen a fair bit of him over the years.

"I’m really pleased to have signed him because I know he will make a difference to us up front."

MacDonald scored twice for Charlton in 13 league and cup appearances. He notched a late equaliser against Newcastle in 2001 and the winner in a 1-0 win over Queens Park Rangers in an FA Cup, fourth round tie at the Valley in January 2000.

He has played in the Bexley League for YMCA Dartford and Valley Valiants. He also represented South London Schools before embarking on a professional career that took him from Charlton to Cheltenham, Torquay, Colchester and into semi-professional football with Margate, Stevenage and Crawley, for whom he scored eight goals in seven pre-season friendlies.

He left his last club Weymouth after refusing to move home to Dorset.

"I’m looking forward to scoring plenty of goals for Gravesend," said MacDonald. "It has been three years since I left Charlton but this will be my first full-time club since then.

"I really appreciate the opportunity Gravesend have given me to return to full-time football."

As Daish welcomed MacDonald, three players left Stonebridge Road.

Lee Gledhill and James Pinnock have rejoined former Fleet assistant manager Adrian Pennock at Welling, while Jean-Michel Sigere has moved to Lewes.

Daish explained: "Lee is joining the police force and was unable to commit himself while I couldn’t guarantee James first team football. We made Jean-Michel what we considered was a good offer but it was topped by Lewes."