BILLERICAY Town hotshot Mike Fondop admits he has his eyes on being the next Rowan Liburd after an enterprising first two months at the club.

The Cameroonian, who turns 22 today, burst onto the scene at Billericay with eight goals in his first six games for Craig Edwards’s side.

And, despite only scoring once in the past nine outings, Fondop retains faith that he can help Billericay enjoy a successful season, as well as push on in his own development.

Liburd was signed by Championship side Reading over the summer, with the former Town striker recently making his debut for the Royals.

And Fondop is targeting a return to form this weekend against Tonbridge Angels, with a birthday goal to boot.

“I want to play at the highest possible level and I like to look at the bigger picture,” said Fondop, who sports a blonde streak in his hair. “What Rowan is doing is a huge inspiration to people like me and other young players.

“It is crazy to go from the Ryman Leagues to the Championship but he has worked hard and never doubted his ability.

“It makes us believe something similar is possible.

“I haven’t scored as many recently but I can change that against Tonbridge tomorrow.

“The manager wants me to work hard as he doesn’t expect a goal every game and I always do the best I can.

“The team’s style of play suits me and I enjoy working with this group of players.”

Fondop came through a football academy in his native Cameroon before linking up with a number of first division clubs.

He made the move to England in 2013, joining the club in the middle of September, having previously played for Stanway Rovers in the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division, two tiers below Billericay.

He was initially trialling with the under-21s at new Lodge but, with the first-team strikers misfiring, he was given a shot by Edwards and hasn’t looked back.

“I was trialling with the under-21s and I must have done OK because I spoke to the gaffer and he said he was really pleased with what he saw,” said Fondop.

“The next thing I knew I was given a chance in the first-team and I managed to take it and do well, scoring some goals.

“I am a confident person so I believed I could do well for the team and that is what happened.”

But despite his love for the beautiful game, Fondop is also ambitious off the field.

He is currently studying Actuarial Science at the University of Essex in Colchester and says he is excited at what the future holds.

“I want to be a success,” he said. “I came to the UK to study and because of the football.

“Football is like religion over here and that excited me.

“But I work hard at university and my studies are very important to me.

“I was playing in Cameroon but I am enjoying playing over here and want to push on and enjoy success with Billericay.”