Bude Town have looked to strengthen their squad for when the St Piran League gets back underway, after recruiting new managers to assist Josh Allen at the helm.

Former Halwill Reserves managers Ben Potter and Jason Winser have taken up the hot seat alongside Allen, with the hopes of bringing some additional players to fight for the title.

For Allen, the decision to bring in the pair was an easy one. He said: “For me it was a no brainer getting Ben and Jason in, they bring a lot to the table. I know them both on a personal level as well and it will be a pleasure working with them both.”

The Seasiders will have a lot to do to challenge for the title, as they finished tenth this season, but with some new editions to the squad, Allen is sure his side will do well.

He continued: “The aim of the season will be to win the league, the squad is more than capable of holding its own in the South West Peninsula League so I’d expect us to do very well this season in the St Piran League, especially with the additions we have made.”

For new man Winser, having a balanced team for the upcoming season will be key to success.

He said: “The hopes for the season would be mixing a lot of the youth at Bude with a few old heads; having a big squad where training and turning up to every game is crucial to getting a starting spot; and having a good laugh on the pitch as well as off it with a few social events.”

The goal for Winser is the same as Allen’s – silverware.

Winser said: “We would hope to win the league we are in with the squad size and quality that we will have.

“Then try to get up to the Peninsula where the club belongs.”

After three back-to-back promotions in the Devon and Exeter Division, Winser spoke of why the pair decided to move, along with several of their players.

Chance

He explained: “The reason for the move was we started as a group of mates playing together for Halwill Reserves and achieved three promotions in a row alongside winning the Pickard Cup last year. Recruiting and losing players along the way built us a very good side between mates and we wanted to be given a chance as the first team for Halwill.”

However, because the first team were only a division higher – in Devon and Exeter Division Two – the reserve side were unable to climb any higher.

Winser continued: “The lack of ambition was not good as we want to achieve things and it’s hard to keep players motivated when there is no end goal.

“So when this opportunity to move to Bude and merge our management and players with theirs (Bude) came along, it was too good to turn down as it is a very good standard (better than we are playing now) and a great club that I have played for before for a few seasons.

“We are hoping to bring quality, banter and help with bringing the club and teams together to progress up the leagues and get the first team back where they belong.”