FAIRFIELD Villa’s top goalscorer Connor Collins has agreed to make the move to Midland League Premier Division outfit Lye Town.
The former Bromsgrove Sporting and Halesowen Town sharpshooter netted 35 times in 40 appearances last season to guide Villa to a fifth-placed finish in Division Two.
But more memorably Collins netted a hat-trick in Villa’s 3-2 victory over Alvis Sporting Club to fire Wayne Davis’ side to Presidents Cup glory.
And Collins’ goalscoring form has not gone un-noticed as Lye, who finished fourth in the Midland Premier last term, have agreed a deal to bring him to The Sports Ground.
The signing cannot be made ‘official’ until July 1, however.
Villa’s vice-chairman Paul Oakes said: “Connor has always had the ability to score at this level [Division Two] which is why he is hot property.
“Moving to Step Five will be a tough test for him as there will be better players around him.
“However, he has matured a lot since he last left us and is ready to learn and listen.
“Hopefully he can make the step-up this time around because he deserves the chance as he is a cracking lad.
“Connor is very keen to prove his worth down at Lye and he goes with our blessing.”
During the 2014/15 season, Collins netted 44 goals in 39 appearances for Villa in Division Two before making the move to Northern Premier League outfit Halesowen.
A stand-out moment for the young forward was scoring a last-gasp winner in the 2-1 win over Mickleover Sports in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup two years ago.
He then moved to the Victoria Ground where he bagged 11 goals in 37 outings under the guidance of Sporting boss Paul Smith before returning to Villa last summer.
Collins not only ended the current campaign as top scorer, he also scooped up the Players’ Player of the Year accolade at Villa’s end of season awards yesterday (Saturday).
