Ross Hannah reckons he was right to wait another year before making the jump into the pro game.

The prolific striker, who became City’s first summer capture last week, rewrote the record books at non-league Matlock.

Hannah, who resisted several other offers, could have stepped up to the full-time ranks 12 months ago.

But he had no regrets after staying put and slamming a phenomenal 52 goals.

He said: “I scored 40 goals the season before at the same level and I had a chance to go (professional) then.

“There weren’t the same number of opportunities that I’ve had now though, so it might have been a case of a few clubs seeing what I was going to do next time.

“I felt it was right to stay and said to myself I’d be happy with scoring another 30.

“So to go past it and beat a record set by an ex-Matlock player of 49 goals was incredible.”

Hannah believes his game has kicked on and credits his former boss Mark Atkins, who won a Premier League title with Blackburn.

“I do owe a lot to the manager there. He got me to the time now when I feel I’m ready for this.

“He didn’t want to lose me but he’s never stood in my way. I’ve always been up front with him about the offers and he has helped me all the way along.”

David Syers and James Hanson have both admitted how tough it was physically making the switch from playing part-time to training every day. Hannah has headed off to his summer break with a fitness regime drawn up by the club.

He added: “It’s all about being fitter than the opponent so I intend to hit the ground running. I feel I’m a naturally fit person anyway and I’ve got a programme that the gaffer and Colin Cooper have given me. I’ll go away and get stuck in to that.”