AFTER six years and as many trophies, centre-back Craig Vernon has quit Merstham to step up a division and play for Tooting.

It will be the first time Vernon, who signed on his 31st birthday, will have played at as high a level as the Ryman Premier Division.

Supporters will get the chance to say goodbye to the defender, who vowed to return during the five-game ban he sits out at the start of the season.

The move to the Terrors came about through a friendship with Kevin Cooper, assistant manager to Mark Beard.

"I've known him for years. I've played five-a-side games with him.

"We had a bit of banter when he was at Cove.

"They were the only team to beat us that year when we won the title.

"I spoke to the Merstham chairman [Ted Hickman] and the manager [Graeme Banyard] and they said that if you are happy, move.

"I'm not moving for the money.

"I'll be on the same I was on at Merstham. It's just another chance to go to a higher level. Who knows, I could be back at the end of August."

While at Merstham, Horsham-based Vernon won the Combined Counties League title, the Surrey Senior Cup three Premier Challenge Cups, an East Surrey Cup and was involved in the club's run to the quarter-finals of the national FA Vase.

"I couldn't forget that," he said of the 2007-08 run. "The best moments I was down there was the FA Vase run."

Vernon was impressed by the set-up and plans at Tooting, including stadium improvements and signing Dartford hotshot Rob Howarth. The Terrors have also signed his fellow ex-Merstham team-mate Hassan Nyang.

But he admits that he still has a lot of time for Merstham – a feeling that appears to be mutual.

"I met the chairman Ted Hickman a couple of weeks before I signed and we had a cup of tea. He said if anything happens I'd be welcome back."