LIAM Nash has urged non-league players to never give up on their dreams after signing his first professional contract with Gillingham.

The 21-year-old, from Hullbridge, signed a two-year deal with the League One club on Friday, after impressing in a week-long trial.

Two goals in as many games was enough to tempt Gills boss Ady Pennock into giving the former Billericay Town, Great Wakering Rovers and Hullbridge Sports striker a punt.

And Nash says he intends to make the most of the opportunity.

“It is great,” admitted the striker, following his move from Maldon & Tiptree.

“For any non-league player, being able to make that jump is amazing and I can only thank Gillingham as well as my agent for getting me that trial.

“The welcoming I have had is unbelievable and it does feel a long time since I was at Hullbridge right now.

“But I have worked hard for this and hard work pays off and I would say that to anyone who wants to make this jump. You must be the biggest believer in yourself.

“I am not taking this for granted. I need to prove I am worthy of starting in League One and hopefully the goals will come from there.

“For me it is about getting the opportunity and I’m looking to get some goals as well.

“I have two years to show I can make a career as a professional and that is great for me.

“It is indescribable.”

Nash scored 37 goals for Maldon & Tiptree in the Isthmian North last season, earning a host of admirers.

He admits other professional clubs were interested in him, although he says he is only focusing on Gillingham having learned they had been watching him for much of last season.

“It has come off the back of a good year,” said Nash.

“Ady said Gillingham had been keeping an eye on me without me knowing.

“That worked to my favour as it gave me a chance to keep on doing what I was doing without things getting in the way of things.

“I got on well with the boss and I think he is a great bloke. I worked hard in training and in the two games we had I impressed and got two goals and won two penalties.

“But now I need to prove I can cut it on a regular basis.”

Nash says he has one week left of working as a builder before beginning his new life as a footballer.

And he said he couldn’t help thinking about the sort of matches he could be involved in, having agreed terms.

“You can’t help but think of the teams in this league and the stadiums they play at and be excited,” he said.

“The likes of Wigan and Charlton jump out and it is a dream come true to go to places like that, with the level of support that will be there.

“We have a cup game against Reading early in the season as well and I would love to be involved in a game like that.

“But I have one week of work left first,” he added.

“It doesn’t bother me stepping away from it as I have always wanted to be a footballer.

“I was up grafting at 5am at the gym and the hard work has paid off. I can’t wait to get started.”