LAST season the ‘Merry Monks’ of Hamble Club enjoyed a decent maiden voyage in the Sydenhams Premier Division, finishing tenth and flying the Wessex flag through to the last 16 of the FA Vase.

Manager Ben Kneller is determined to do even better this year – starting with tomorrow evening's big home opener against Lymington Town (7.45pm) – but stressed that, from now on, the first-team will be sharing the spotlight with the ‘Mini Monks.’

“We’ve now got 20 youth teams, including girls and pan-disability teams,” the boss explained.

“It’s not just about what we do as a Wessex team, it’s what we do as a club. We’re trying to create an ethos where people are proud to come to Hamble Club.

“The youth set-up is exciting for us. If we have local lads playing in our team, the club will better for it. We’d like a bit of a younger, more athletic side if possible.”

There has been quite a turnover of first-team personnel during the summer with young goalkeeper Josh Cotton, full-back Jake Newton, midfielder/defender Joe Chamberlain, centre-back Ross Bottomley, attacking midfielder John Cole, winger Calvin Moses and central midfielder Ryan Wilkins bringing something new to the Hamble party. Plus Murray Holmes has re-signed after an injury-dogged 2017/18.

On the debit side, skipper Liam Crook has stepped up to the Southern League with AFC Totton, while several more have found pastures new – River Smith (Hamworthy Utd), Nick Watts (Lymington Town), Craig Shrimpton and Danny Cox (Hythe & Dibden), Mo Nyang (Brockenhurst), Sam Wilson and Matt Troon (retired).

The signing of pedigree ex-AFC Totton and Andover winger Mike Gosney suggests tomorrow's visitors Lymington – eighth last season – have aspirations to be in the title mix.

But when it comes to potential champions, Kneller is tipping Michael Birmingham’s Horndean as the team to beat.

“For me, whoever finishes above Horndean wins the league,” he said. “Michael Birmingham’s got them well-drilled and they’ve got some exciting, young players - plus they’ve added the experience of Zach Glasspool (from Andover Town).

“We finished tenth last season, which wasn’t good enough with the players we had.

“We’ve restructured and we’re geared up to press on from last year. We trust in what we have and feel we have strength in depth.”

That strength will come in handy tomorrow as Hamble have four players suspended – Nathan Lynch, Ricky Bull, Prince McLean and Charlie Wagstaffe.

Last season’s 46-goal top scorer Lynch has been hit with a seven-match ban relating back to April's stormy 3-1 home defeat by Horndean. Hamble, though, have appealed on the basis that Lynch was provoked and hope to get the ban reduced to two games. 

There is one Friday night match in Division One, with Romsey Town facing Hythe & Dibden at the Bypass Ground (7.45pm).

Hythe, who have strengthened considerably over the summer, include veteran ex-Saint and Norway international Jo Tessem in their ranks.