BUDE Town boss Steve Hackett is keeping things simple as the Seasiders prepare for the start of the 2025/26 South West Peninsula League Premier West season this Saturday when they welcome Millbrook (3pm).

Hackett, who had previously enjoyed plenty of success with the reserves in the St Piran League – was given the top job at Broadclose Park last summer following the departure of Ben Potter and his entire squad.

But a combination of his youngsters and new signings comfortably stayed up, eventually ending 14th in the 16-team division, and hopes are for more progression.

The Seasiders started pre-season early with a combination of fitness and with personal trainer Eddie Marbell, small-sided games and futsal, plus friendlies against a series of North Devon-based sides.

Hackett said: “We have learnt a lot in those games. We had a really solid team performance and result against Torrington (2-0), an efficient performance against Fremington (2-0) but a disjointed and poor match against Ilfracombe (4-0) before an excellent 2-1 victory over Torridgeside on Saturday.”

“It has been tricky with a high turnover of player availability at this time of year due to various reasons, but the main thing is that it’s minutes and sharpness for the lads and an opportunity to try new things, see players in different positions and looking at new signings.”

Last year Bude’s squad was full of youth, and Hackett has been busy trying to get a better balance.

He said: “We have recruited sensibly.

“From last season it was evident that we lacked experience amongst our young squad, so signing Billy and Harry Hopcroft, Liam McDonald and David Youldon have added to what we needed.

“Jack Biddick is an astute signing as he is another young player with the potential to play SWPL football. We did try for other signings but ultimately lost out due to our location or budget, but the most important thing is that we maintained everybody.”

Hackett is keeping it simple in terms of predictions and praised last year’s squad.

He said: “The task at the start of last season was always to survive in the league with the young players who had to step up four divisions.

“They were incredible, they stuck together and ground out the results that we needed to maintain SWPL football.

“They are a brilliant bunch and they are ambitious like the management to improve and solidify themselves as established players at this level.

“The aim is to always push on and improve year on year. We want to gain more points this season and turn defeats into draws and draws into wins. It’s important that we keep stepping in the right direction over time.

“That said, I’m expecting some tough games again, clubs seem to have recruited well over the summer and there’s lots of money kicking about.

“Liskeard, Wadebridge and Elburton Villa look like the teams to beat and I’d expect them to be right up there, but as it showed last season when we beat Newquay at home, anyone can beat anyone on their day so it’s important to take one game at a time and give everything.

“But we’re just looking forward to getting started and it’s nice to have the first game at home.

“Millbrook improved a lot halfway through last season and we expect a tough start.”