Braintree Town have swooped to sign former Colchester United striker Gareth Williams.

And Williams' Hayes Lane team-mate, England Non-League goalkeeper Craig Holloway, is also coming to Cressing Road.

Braintree boss Lee Patterson revealed news of the two signings with the promise of another five or six as yet un-named possible new signings to follow.

Delighted to have got his men, Patterson said: "They are good kids and I'm really pleased they have chosen to come and play for Braintree.

"It is especially pleasing because they are players that we originally targetted."

Welsh Under-21 international goal-getter Williams needs no introduction to the Irons supporters.

The 26-year-old former Crystal Palace striker, who also enjoyed loan spells with Cambridge United, Bournemouth and Blackpool, hit the headlines when marking Phil Parkinson's first game as manager of Colchester United with a hat-trick in a 4-1 Layer Road win over Port Vale in March 2003.

He went on to score 12 goals in 62 league appearances for the U's before moving on to Weymouth, followed by Bromley in the summer of 2006.