Carshalton Athletic signing Paul Johnson reckons it was an easy decision to move to Colston Avenue after new boss Mark Butler came calling.

Johnson worked with Butler at former club Ashford Town for five seasons, becoming captain under the now Robins manager.

And the 28-year-old admits the lure of linking up with his old boss was too good to turn down.

Johnson said: “It was tough to leave Ashford in a certain sense as I had been there for so long.

“But there is a lot going on behind the scenes there that made things a bit uncomfortable.

“I had been in contact with Mark ever since he left Ashford and I was close to joining him at Margate.

“I kept in touch with him when he moved to Carshalton and when he rang me earlier this summer to see if I was interested I did not take long to say yes.”

Johnson proved an important figure for Ashford during his time there, claiming 54 goals in 264 appearances in midfield.

And the plasterer insists Carshalton have made a shrewd move by putting Butler in place.

Johnson added: “Mark is very eager to succeed and he will work 24 hours a day on the football side of things.

“If he wins he is happy and if he loses he is not, it really means that much to him.

“He gets that across to the players and I am really looking forward to playing for him again.”

Goals from midfield was an issue for the Robins last season, with Barry Stevens heading the charge in that department.

And Johnson is promising to bring his scoring boots to the Ryman Premier side.

He added: “I bring a lot of energy to the team and I love to get forward.

“I am left-footed and consider myself strong on set -pieces.

“I get my fair share of goals and I will be looking to chip in with a few for Carshalton. ”