New Braintree Town keeper Jamie Butler feels what he lacks in height is more than made up for by his presence on the pitch and he knows Iron fans will certainly notice him this year.

The 24-year-old is excited to have made the step up for the Iron after joining from Vanarama National League South side Hemel Hempstead and the former Concord Rangers keeper is looking to make his mark at the higher level with Braintree.

At 5ft 11in, he won't be the tallest keeper in the National League, but feels he makes up for a lack of height with a mobile and vocal playing style.

He told the Braintree and Witham Times: "I don't think you see many keepers who play the way that I do.

"Because I'm five foot 11 I know I'll never be six foot three and I have to stand out in other ways.

"So I'm loud and that's something people will certainly notice!

"I feel my distribution is a real strength.

"I have worked hard on that part of my game and feel it's now a massive selling point for me with being able to start attacks with my kicking.

"With the presence that I've got, I look to play very high - almost as a sweeper.

"I'm quite entertaining to watch and some people may wonder what I'm doing but you need to have that presence as a smaller keeper."

Manager Jamie Day is certainly a fan and was pleased to get his number one.

It is a respect that is mutual, with Butler impressed with the the Iron squad Day is building and the new keeper is looking forward to testing himself at a fresh level.

He added: "For me personally, it's the step up that I wanted and it's a level that I haven't been tested at before.

"I've had a good few years at Conference South level and had experience with England C and this is a step that I wanted to make.

"I see it as progression and it's a move I'm pleased to have made as you can get comfortable staying where you are and I feel I needed to make this move.

"I want to eventually get into the Football League and see what I can do there.

"You always have to have aspirations to go higher and I want to prove myself there.

"Jamie Day made his interest know very clearly from early on and he seemed very keen for me to sign when we had a chat.

"It's great to be in his plans and looking at the players who he is bringing in, I think he has some real quality there.

"Braintree have some good players coming in and it's looking good.

"What the club did last year was incredible and we need to try to get as near to that as we can.

"It's going to be a huge ask because the league is, if anything, looking even tougher this year with the likes of Dagenham and York coming down and Sutton coming up.

"They are all big clubs and it's a tough league, but I like what Braintree are building.

"As you move up leagues, you know the quality is higher so I'll be having to get used to that and I'm looking to have a good pre-season to get going now.

"To be honest, that's the same for the whole team as everyone will be building relationships with us being a new squad.

"There are only three or four lads left from last season and now players have to get used to playing alongside each other.

"We are looking to get as much time together in training as possible and then we can test ourselves in games to see where we are.

"Ultimately it will come down to the first game of the season on August 6, but we have to work hard now getting used to each other's strengths."