DIDCOT Town hot-shot John Mills has pledged his future to the Southern League Division 1 South & West high-fliers after rejecting an offer to move up a level with Hereford United.

Mills, who took his tally for the season to 33 with their first goal in Saturday’s 3-3 draw at Merthyr Town in the FA Trophy, was offered a good deal to make the switch.

However, after thinking about the move over the weekend, he decided to remain at the Draycott Engineering Loop Meadow Stadium.

Joint boss Ian Concannon was understandably delighted with the 25-year-old’s decision.

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“I spoke to him (on Sunday) and he told me he was staying with us,” he said.

“It’s fantastic news and if he keeps scoring at the rate he is doing, then he’s going to end up with 50 goals and be an established goalscorer.

“That will mean he is going to attract offers from clubs higher up than Hereford and I think he can see that.”

He added: “Millsy says he’s enjoying his football and doing what he does well at a place where he’s happy, which counts for a lot.

“He tells me he’s staying and that’s good enough for us.

“We’re now going to have a sit down and have a chat with him.”

Meanwhile, Didcot face a trip to Vanarama Conference Premier side Forest Green Rovers, if they beat Merthyr in tonight’s replay.

But Concannon said their thoughts were focused totally on the Welsh visitors.

“After they equalised, the referee blew the whistle, which was a bit of a choker,” he said.

“We did well to hold them on their own patch.

“It’s a good draw for both teams, it ticks every box. It’s good to play against teams of a higher calibre and, of course, financially.

“But that won’t count for anything unless we beat Merthyr.”

Andy Ballard, Jack Self and Pablo Haysham are all expected to recover from minor knocks.

Oxford City face a first round trip to Didcot’s league rivals Wimborne Town, from Dorset, on Saturday, December 13.

Didcot Tn (v Merthyr Tn, home): from Foster, Elkins, Organ, Self, Carnell, Learoyd, Longford, Ballard, Mills, Haysham, Woodley, Clark, Dutton-Black, Baines, Brooks, Heapy.

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