History-maker Martin Grant insists he has shed the arrogant tag that blighted his early days at new club Walton Casuals, and reckons the Stags will continue to reap the benefits of his new-found humility.

Grant etched himself into the Walton history books by notching their first-ever Ryman League hat-trick at the weekend, chipping in with three in the Stags’ 4-1 thrashing of Chipstead.

And after taking his tally for the season to an impressive 16, Grant vows there is plenty more to come.

He said: “To be fair when I first arrived here from Tooting & Mitcham I was a little bit arrogant and I think that came across on the pitch.

“With my success in the Tooting reserves I said I would score 40 goals this season, and I think I was taking everything for granted.

“Spencer Collins said to me he would be happy if I got 20 goals this season, so to be at 16 before we even get to Christmas is fantastic.

“I am not setting any targets any more - I just want to play as many games as I can and score as many goals as I can.”

Leon Yarnie grabbed the other goal as Chipstead were swept aside, and Grant reckons it is boom time for the Walton strikers.

He added: “As a team we are creating an awful lot of chances.

“We have a lot of creative players in the team and as long as we keep playing that way I think whoever is up front will get goals.”

Despite their goal glut the Stags are still languishing in the lower reaches of the Ryman Division One South.

But Grant reckons that is all about to change.

He added: “I think we are improving week by week.

“We certainly do not want to be looking over our shoulders - we aim to be a mid-table team or even better.

“Everyone is determined to look forward and I think our performances are showing that is the case.”

Walton Casuals’ next three matches: Dec 5 Corinthian Casuals (a), 12 Chatham Town (h), 15 Walton & Hersham (LC, a )