IT SEEMS only a few days since Andover Lions turned over Wessex League runners up Wimborne at the Cuthbury before closing out the campaign with a North Hants Cup win over New Street.

In that time England have broken a few million hearts once again in Portugal but at the Portway Brian le Boutillier's squad is being fine tuned for another bash at the league title and the FA Vase, among other trophies.

Pre-season has now kicked into gear and Andover supporters will have a number of new faces at the ground with so far just one absentee, Sam Rae, who has signed for AFC Newbury.

Boss le Boutillier has been back to Bemerton Heath Harlequins to snap up highly rated defender Darren Harding, who at 23 has had around seven years at the Salisbury-based side and is ambitious.

Le Boutillier sees it as the right move for the central defender, nicknamed Glue, for reasons which will become apparent on the pitch.

Also arriving from Bemerton is midfielder Carl Jones, whose box to box play and hard working ethic earned him the nickname 'Keano'.

Full story and picture in Friday's Andover Advertiser