FLEET Town have snapped up two of Bashley's out-of-contract players.

Former Portsmouth midfielder Gary Connolly is heading north to the Calthorpe Park club, accompanied by experienced 35-year-old Southampton-based def-ender Andy Darnton, who joined Bash from Fleet five seasons ago.

Town boss Mick Catlin knows both players well from previous clubs and suffered at their hands last term when Fleet finished bottom of the Dr Martens Eastern Division.

Next season, the two clubs will come face to face again in the Isthmian Division 1 after Fleet were spared relegation back to the Wessex ranks.

Catlin recalled: "When Bashley gave us a 7-0 drubbing over Easter, Andy got the man-of-the-match award and Gary was outstanding that day, having just got back from a loan spell at Havant & Waterlooville.

"I first met Andy when he was a 17-year-old making his debut for Waterlooville and I played at Worthing with him for a while.

"The average age of the Fleet side was only 21 last season and he'll give us the experience we've been lacking.

"I've known Gary for a long time, too. He was at Havant & Waterlooville with me before they sold him to Bashley.

"We'll play him either on the right or central midfield - that's where he's most comfortable."

With an improved budget to play with next season, Catlin plans several more new sign- ings - including an ex-England star who should be unveiled as player-coach within a week.

Assistant manager Bruce Kendall and goalkeeping coach Steve May have left the club and Catlin's new number two is Army defender Ian Saunders, who will be taking a back seat from playing in order to help run the side.

"Ian's got all his coaching badges and has managed Fareham Sacred Hearts in the Hampshire League," said Catlin.

"We work very well together and I'm looking forward to next season.

"The Isthmian Division 1 looks a good league with teams like AFC Wimbledon and crowds should be up with more local games."

Neil McNamara, co-manager of Gosport Borough's reserve team, has left to take up the first team manager's job at Wessex Division 3 outfit Fleetlands.