Hythe boss Clive Cook heaped praise on Football League-bound Alfie May after the striker completed his move to Doncaster Rovers.

The 23-year-old scored 49 goals for the Cannons in 67 appearances since joining from Erith & Belvedere 16 months ago, with his goals firing Town into the Ryman League Division 1 South promotion race last season and this, and earning a number of trials at Football League clubs including Gillingham and Stevenage.

League 2 leaders Doncaster won the race to sign the former Bromley and Chatham hot-shot on Sunday and Cook predicted May will make the most of his shot at the big time.

Cook said: "Alfie now has the opportunity to realise his dream to be a professional footballer and I know he will take it with both hands.

"He is a smashing lad, easy to manage, easy to get on with and thoroughly deserves to go into full time football.

"That’s what he wanted and that’s what he has got through hard work, talent, dedication and honesty."

He added: "Alfie came to Hythe after I became manager and the first thing that came to mind was what an incredible talent he has. (His scoring record is) a fantastic return at any level of football.”

“I would like to thank Doncaster for giving Alfie the opportunity to realise his ambition.

"Also, I was pleased to have it confirmed that Football League sides do look at non-League players.

"My challenge now is to find the next Alfie May, a big ask but I know they are out there!”

May's new manager, Rovers boss Darren Ferguson paid tribute to Cook, aswell as May, after completing the deal.

Ferguson said: "Alfie’s got good potential. There are a lot of things I like about him, mostly his attitude.

"He’s got an absolute desire to be player and that was the real thing for me. The level he’s been getting goals at is obviously nowhere near what he is coming into but he is a natural goalscorer.

"He had a week with us in November which gave us a chance to look at him and him a chance to look at us.

"Hythe have been excellent in terms of managing his situation, and his manager has too, in terms of letting us do that.“