WINCHESTER City have tied up the nucleus of their side for the move into Southern League football next season.

And manager Steve Tate believes that, with Jamie Musselwhite, Ian Mancey, Christer Warren, Liam Green, Lloyd Webber, goalkeeper Dave Hook and skipper Mark Jones all signing terms for 2006/7, City should be aiming for at least a top-six finish in Division 1 South & West.

Under Tate's inspired command, City romped to last season's Sydenhams Wessex title with an unbeaten run of 28 league games and the boss said: "I've got confidence in the players' ability and I'd be extremely disappointed if we didn't finish top-six.

"I never go into a league without trying to win the damn thing and we're not going up with a Wessex League side, we're going up with a lot of players who have played Southern League or higher."

Musselwhite turned down a move to Eastleigh to stay with Winchester, where he will again partner experienced former Basingstoke Town and Fleet targetman Ian Mancey.

Tate was so keen to keep 34-year-old Mancey on board that he offered him a place on the management/coaching team.

He said: "Mance wants to concentrate on playing for the time being but the added bonus is that we've got Richard Mealey to come in when Mance needs a rest.

"Mance will be working very closely with Richard Mealey, helping to develop his game."

Tate regards top-scorer Musselwhite as important to Winchester as Richard Gillespie is to Southern 1 rivals Bashley.

"Jamie's in the same category as Gillespie," he said.

"Much as you need to base a side around a strong defence, all teams need someone that can win games and Jamie is that guaranteed 20 to 30-goal-a-season man.

"We've also got Christer Warren who has the ability to score goals.

"The nucleus of our side have all played Southern League or above, apart from Jamie and Liam Green, but I'd stake my reputation as a manager on the ability of those to play higher."

l Winchester City have had to relaunch their search for a new secretary.

AFC Totton's Charles Ducellier had been lined up to replace Ray Murphy, but he has had to turn the position down due to ill health.

New applicants should contact Murphy on 07801 638158.