The 37-year-old spent a short period on loan with the Seagulls last December as he regained full match fitness after recovering from injury.

The Cornwall-born striker began his career with Bideford AFC before joining Truro City in July 2006.

During his first season at Treyew Road the club lifted the Western League Division One title and won the FA Vase beating AFC Totton 3–1 in the final, held at the new Wembley Stadium.

This began five years of almost uninterrupted success for the club, climbing up through the leagues to the Conference South, with his goals playing a major part in this rise.

Even when it all began to unravel for the White Tigers, he remained loyal to the club, playing just a single game for Bideford when it looked like Truro had gone out of business, and he was named player of the year. In total he scored 143 goals in 295 games for Truro.

Bath City had made an offer for his services in January 2013 and, following Truro’s relegation in April, he signed for the National League South club in June 2013, moving to Tiverton in the summer of 2020.

Mousehole boss Jake Ash sees his latest signing as a brilliant move for the club. He told https://www.mouseholeafc.co.uk:

“It’s taken a lot of hard work to finalise Watto’s arrival – but then it should do for a player of his quality.  He has won so much in his career and spent the last ten years or so playing high up the non-league pyramid.  That quality, knowledge and experience is going to have an immense impact on our group.

“His footballing intelligence, work rate and attitude will definitely help the team push on further after last season’s debut campaign at Step 5.  He will also have a huge ‘role model’ influence on and off the pitch, including with the younger players eager to improve their game.

“He has always been a ‘class act’ – I remember, as a player alongside him, admiring how well he looked after himself.  And that’s not changed – it no doubt explains why he continues to be the player he is now, and the intrinsic hunger he still has for the game.

“I know he’s keen to reduce the travelling that’s been the mainstay of his life for so many years – but he also, importantly, still wants to be part of an ambitious set-up.  I can’t wait to work with him!”

Watkins is Mousehole’s second important signing of the month, after the arrival of 22-year-old attacking midfielder Reece Thomson from league rivals Saltash United.