EVESHAM United boss Paul Collicutt paid tribute to goalkeeper Sam Gilder and insisted Bishop's Cleeve had signed an improved version of their former stopper.

Gilder joined the Robins from Collicutt's former club Cleeve in the summer of 2016 but headed back to the Southern League West backmarkers during the latter part of last week in search of regular starts.

“Sam is a great lad who did really well for us,” said Collicutt. “It was simply a case of him wanting to play more regularly and Cleeve could offer him that.

“He lives there and we wish him all the best. We put a lot of time and effort into Sam over the past year and a half in terms of coaching and I honestly believe he is a better keeper now than when he arrived."

Gilder, understudy to vastly-experienced number one Kevin Sawyer, made three appearances for Evesham this season, all of which were in cup competitions.