CONSISTENCY is the key for Slimbridge, believes captain Lee Smith.

The striker joined the Swans from Southern League Premier Division outfit Cirencester Town and has been rattling in the goals already at Thornhill Park.

And Smith, who made over three hundred appearances for Gloucester City during his career, believes he is never going to leave Slimbridge as he lives not far from the ground.

Slimbridge were struggling to find the back of the net before Smith arrived. Now, the 33-year-old striker has hit the target five times in eight games and said he is ‘thoroughly enjoying it’ among his new team-mates.

Smith has also brought a fresh buzz to the place, and admitted: “I ruffled a few feathers when I first came in, I think.”

But, he added: “I am a winner and I have always been that way.”

Joining Slimbridge was easy for Smith as he knew manager Leon Sterling and assistant Freddy Ward from outside football.

Smith added: “I think we have a good squad here and a good blend. I think me coming in has given them a big help as I am experienced and been around.

“They have been missing a goal-scorer and I have come in and scored five from eight games and that helps them out.

“I enjoy playing here. I know Leon and Fred. They are good friends from outside football, so when I left Ciren to come here, it was a no-brainer.

“I had quite a few clubs who wanted me but this was right on my doorstep. I could come here, play and enjoy it – and I am thoroughly enjoying it as well, to be honest.”

Being consistent means everything, he added. “We have been so inconsistent but that is from having young lads. They can go from one extreme to the other. I will play an average seven or eight every week and sometimes get better than that and score a few goals but that is the difference.

“Players at this level are good players and they can play at a higher level but once we get the consistency, which we should do, and we can pick the same 11 every week, that will make the difference.

“I have been in teams like Cirencester when we pipped Merthyr Tydfil to it. They had bundles more money. Budgets mean nothing. Budgets make a difference in getting players in but if they don’t want to mix and graft and work hard, it does not work.

“Here, the next few years will be pivotal because, if they stay together, which I think they will, they are only going to get better and they will challenge for the play-offs. It maybe won’t be this season but until it is impossible we have to think that. You get two or three wins on the bounce, you soon shoot up the league and there is no different from these. It is just consistency.”

And he expects to be at the club until he unlaces his boots in anger for the last time, which is excellent news for Sterling and the squad.

“Slimbridge is ideal. I will play here until I knock it on the head. I am not interested in going anywhere else.”