BRAINTREE Town chairman Lee Harding has revealed club legend Alex Revell had a hand in Lee Barnard's arrival at Cressing Road.

The Iron have snapped up the experienced former Spurs and Southampton striker Barnard from Crawley Town, one of three new arrivals announced by the National League club today.

And chairman Harding said Revell, who scored 39 goals in 65 appearances for Braintree between 2004 and 2006 and has just signed for League Two outfit Northampton Town, played a part in Barnard signing.

Harding said: "I got a call from Alex three weeks back.

"He asked if we were looking for another striker and said that Lee was available after spending last season at Crawley.

"Al said he was a great lad, couldn't recommend him highly enough to us and said that he'd encouraged Lee to talk to us.

"We got in touch and he signed last night.

"Alex has signed for Northampton this week but said he never forgets the role Braintree played in getting him going again and I'm sure our paths will cross again in the not too distant future!"

Barnard started his career as a youngster at Spurs before leaving in 2008 for Southend United, where he made 75 appearances and scored 37 goals.

The 31-year-old then spent four years at Southampton, where he scored 23 goals in 62 matches and returned to Southend for a further season in the summer of 2014, before spending last season at Crawley.

Barnard has played nearly 250 games in the Premier League and Football League and boss Jamie Day is happy to have him on board.

Day said: "Lee's got bags of experience, played plenty of League football and scored nearly 80 goals at that level.

"He'll be a great addition to the squad and I'm looking forward to working with him."

Braintree have also snapped up left-sided player Craig Braham-Barrett from fellow National League side Dover Athletic.

The 27-year-old started his career at Charlton Athletic before spells with Peterborough United and a season with Macclesfield Town.

He then enjoyed two years in the League with Cheltenham Town, where he played 88 games.

Last season saw him start at Ebbsfleet before loan spell at Woking and Whitehawk were followed by the final two months of the season at fifth-placed Dover.

Day said: "Craig's played a lot of his football on the left in defensive roles but I do see him pushing further forward for us.

"He has great pace and is a very direct player.

"He knows this level well and League Two and is a player with a bit of a point to prove.

"He certainly has the hunger I'm looking for."

Braintree have also drafted in a centre-half who played in the Championship last season.

The 22-year-old has agreed to move to the Iron, who will confirm the signing when his contract with his present employers ends at the end of next month.