BOSS Steve Hackett is hoping to ‘push on’ as Bude Town prepare for the start of the 2026/27 South West Peninsula League Premier West campaign.

The Seasiders finished exactly halfway last year in eighth, but with the division now increased to 17 teams with the promotions of Hayle and St Mawgan and three big clubs in Helston Athletic, Mousehole and AFC St Austell dropping down for various reasons, there should be plenty of drama.

Town will once again look to make their Broadclose Park ground a fortress, backed by their ever-increasing support.

On his side’s preparations which has seen mixed results, Hackett admits it’s been challenging.

He said: “Pre-season has been positive with recruiting Karl Tweitman as fitness coach who has really worked on player conditioning, but frustrating with player availability with holidays, weddings and festivals meaning that we haven’t really seen our strongest 16 players together yet. I’m hoping that I’ll get them all back together for the start of the season.”

Bude have the majority of last year’s squad back, including centre-half and skipper Ewan Reeves who went travelling towards the end, and exciting teenager Jake Woodland amongst others.

But there have been a couple of key departures as well as four recruits.

Hackett said: “We have signed Leam Powell from Kilkhampton, a really promising young goalkeeper who is really highly regarded in local football. Drew Bardsley is another young exciting midfielder, but unfortunately he has picked up a shoulder injury so we have to be patient with him.

“Harry Banks has just turned 16 and we can already see his potential and ability from our pre-season games, while Fin Haste has moved back to North Devon and it’s great to have him signed and secure as he is a big player who can play anywhere along the backline.

“However, we have lost goalkeeper Ty Rowe to Step Five Torpoint and we’d never stand in a player’s way who has aspirations of playing in the leagues above, as well as Finn Reeve who has dropped two leagues to play with his friends at Morwenstow. He will be missed, we fought to keep him but he had the opportunity to join his friends and it was one we just had to deal with.”

With five new additions to the league and champions Liskeard Athletic (promotion) and last year’s runner-up Elburton Villa (switched to the East division) moving on, Hackett admits it’s all to play for, adding: “I’m expecting a tougher league this season with some long away days and some strong teams joining such as Mousehole, St Austell and Helston. It’s a strong and competitive league with many hard games to come.

“But the aim is to push on from the last two seasons. Season one the aim was to always avoid relegation which we did by finishing 15th and starting our rebuild. Season two we finished in eighth on goal difference to an established Holsworthy, so the target has to be an improved league position again and a decent cup run.”

Bude’s opener sees Callington Town come to North Cornwall next Wednesday night (7.30pm).

Hackett added: “We know it’ll be a tough one, but the positive is that we are at home. Callington are always extremely strong and organised and a side that I’d expect to be pushing towards the top of the table.”