Update From Bateman

I trust everyone is enjoying their break from football and getting ready for the challenges we face next season, albeit in a different division than we probably all expected.

Whilst there has been little update on our official website I can assure you all that I have been very busy during the last month, firstly talking to our existing squad and secondly talking to a number of potential new players whom I would like to bring to our club next season.

Now that our league status is known I have been busy this last week, finalising the additions I wish to make. The move to the Midlands has worked very much in our favour as at least two of the additions we will make are directly attributable to that late twist and I'm delighted with that.

I will be announcing later this week or early next, five or six additions we have already confirmed, all bar one having played Premier division football last season and I am still finalising at least another two additions involving players currently on holiday.

As far as the squad that finished last season is concerned, I have only so far released Luke Evans and of course we lose Matthew Platt, who returns north after a one year job placement locally. I would like to see last year's squad perform alongside my new additions and that is what pre season will be all about. There was undoubtedly ability there but over a season, results don't lie and I want to instil a winning mentality into next year's team.

Clearly, I won't be able to keep all of last years squad along with the additions I have made, but that's where competition comes into procedings, and by the last couple of weeks of pre season we will have a squad of 17 or 18 who I fully expect to be a force within the Midlands division next season and our minimum aim is to reach the play-offs.

I will keep you updated as pre-season progresses and hope you enjoy the remainder of the break.

Steve