James Walshaw is a natural goalscorer and Darlington did well to beat a number of others for his signature, says manager Mark Cooper.

The striker moved to The Northern Echo Arena this summer having established himself as a regular scorer in recent years for Conference North club Guiseley.

Last season the 27-year-old bagged 32 goals during a campaign in which he earned a call-up to the England C team.

Dewsbury-born Walshaw was one of only two players from the Blue Square North   to make the squad, which was otherwise populated by players from Darlington’s division.

Now the Yorkshireman is hoping to make the grade at the Arena as he gives full-time football a go for the first time.

“He’s progressed year-on-year and scored more goals as he’s gone up a level,” said Cooper.

“A few people have looked at him and I know Rotherham were really interested, but they had a change of manager and we were able to get in quick before other clubs had got their budget sorted and we were able to get him.

“He was highly sought after. We signed him just after the end of last season, which is a difficult time as players and clubs hold out for the best deal as long as possible.

“But we met up with him and he liked the look of the place and what we had to say.”

Walshaw, whose former clubs include Ossett Town, Leek and Farsley, will be competing for a starting berth alongside John Campbell who is another to have banged in the goals at a lower level.

He notched 25 goals for Newcastle Benfield by last Christmas before being picked up by Cooper.

Cooper said: “James is strong, quick and left-footed. All of a sudden he’ll end up wriggling past a defender and getting a shot in at goal.

“We’ve got two natural goalscorers there in James and John.

“We can’t go and get Richard Brodie, who would guarantee you 20 goals, because plain and simple we just can’t, but we’ve got players in the squad who can finish.”

Walshaw has left his job in electronics to join Darlington, but Cooper has no qualms about his fitness, saying: “After he’s had a pre-season with us his fitness should be fine.

“He’s given up a secure job to have a go at full-time football. I think he’s had one or two offers before to go full-time, but it’s not felt right for him. But he thinks we can be a big club and wants to give it a go.”