Hampton & Richmond Borough boss Alan Devonshire has defied the current economic climate in splashing the cash to sign Havant & Waterlooville midfielder Jamie Collins for an undisclosed fee.
The Beavers bumper season ended with Blue Square South play-off final defeat to Hayes & Yeading in front of more than 3,000 fans at the Beveree in May and started with a sell-out crowd for the pre-season friendly visit of West Ham United.
They broke their league attendance record with a 3,225 crowd for the visit of champions AFC Wimbledon in April and rising average gates at the Beveree have helped swell the club coffers.
They are expected to be boosted further with the visit of Watford, Wycombe Wanderers and Luton Town this summer.
Collins, 25, joined up with his new team mates on Thrusday night having made 169 appearances for the Hawks since graduating from the Watford academy system and representing England at youth level.
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