Striker Craig McAllister has warned Sutton United’s Conference South rivals what boss Paul Doswell wants, he gets – promotion.

The 34-year-old former Crawley Town forward switched to Gander Green Lane this week from Doswell’s former club Eastleigh on the promise that United would be challenging for a place in the Conference Premier this term.

McAllister started his career at Eastleigh under his new manager and lives moments from the Gander Green Lane chief’s new home near Southampton.

He joins Dean Beckwith, Ross Stearn, Jason Brown and Tom Bolarinwa as new faces at United next term and it was signings of that calibre that persuaded McAllister – who was part of the Crawley squad that won promotion to the Football League in 2011 – to make the move too.

And he revealed he would not have pitched up at Sutton if promotion under Doswell was not a realistic possibility.

“I had a chat with Paul and liked what he had to say,” he said.

“It is exciting times to be at the club and I want to be part of it.

“I know what Paul is all about and he is desperate to be a Conference Premier level manager. That is all he wants.

“Paul has been in football long enough to get his day in the sun. Sometimes it just happens. I hope I’m at the club when he does it.

“He knows how to be successful outside of football and I know that when he wants something, he usually gets it.

“He knows where he wants to get to and I’m sure he’ll get there.”

Wimbledon Times:

Good times could be here again: Craig McAllister was part of the Crawley Town squad that won promotion to the Football League in 2011

McAllister will bring vast experience to United next term and he insists his advancing years can only be a benefit.

He added: “People are saying some of our signings are past it, but you need experience in this league.

“I think I’ve got another two or three seasons in me.

“I came to full-time professional football late, so I have fewer miles on the clock.

“Football is the only career I’ve ever had, so I’m desperate to carry on for as long as possible.

“I know the other players are still hungry to win things, because they are winners and want to win again.”