There will be a much more experienced look to the Hemel Hempstead Town squad next season, according to Tudors boss Dean Brennan.
The club has been busy in the transfer market in recent weeks, and five players have agreed deals with the Vauxhall Road outfit – Jamie Butler, Terrell Forbes, John Frendo, Ben Herd and Matthew Spring.
Brennan says that he is still on the look-out for further reinforcements, but is happy with how his squad is shaping ahead of the 2015/15 National League South campaign.
“We had a lot of targets and a lot of players on our agenda,” he said. “In regards to the five players that we have brought it, we needed more experience in the side.
“We had a really young average age last year, and the average projected age for next season will be 26 if we can get the other four targets that we are wanting to bring in.”
Brennan admitted that his youthful side were let down by their naivety at times last season, and he feels that his new acquisitions will go a long way to remedying that.
“Springy has got lots of experience and we needed a holding midfield player so hopefully he can fill that void,” he said. “We’ve always liked the goalkeeper, Jamie Butler, because his distribution is excellent – he is a sweeper keeper and his distribution is the best in the league by a mile.
“Forbes brings us a lot of experience, and we watched Ben Herd in the play-offs for Boreham Wood where he was outstanding. He did really well against some very good players who he had in his pocket. We’ve always liked him and almost signed him twice before.
“I’ve always liked John Frendo, he’s a top centre-forward and a natural goalscorer; every time he has played against us I think he has scored. He’s a top player and I think he will do really well in the way we play.”
Despite the impressive calibre of the players he has brought in, Brennan insists that he will need to work hard in order to gel his squad as a unit in time for the start of the season.
“The players we have brought in are a better calibre of player on CV, but we have got to hit the ground running,” he said. “Pre-season starts on July 1 and it’s my job to organise the team and make sure that there is more continuity. Everybody is on a clean slate – it’s down to the players to nail down their positions.”
While the players are currently enjoying a well-earned summer break, Brennan says that he is working harder than ever to get his squad in tip-top condition.
He said: “We are laying the foundations for our season. This is the busiest time of the year for the management staff and we are looking to build a team for this year.
“We will get 10 friendlies arranged because our aim is to get each player at least five full 90-minute games under their belts before the season starts.
“We want to get Vauxhall Road back to being a fortress like we did when we won the title a couple of years ago.
“It’s all very positive around the football club now – businesses like Underwoods Solicitors, Saffron Indian restaurant, O’Rourke Personnel, Avco Motors and main stand sponsors CRK Windows have all committed to sponsorship so things are looking very bright.”