ROMSEY Town have struck up a mutually beneficial relationship with Conference South neighbours Eastleigh for 2013/14.

Two Spitfires reserve players – central midfielder Jamie Bulpitt and midfielder/forward Geoff Dunn – have dual-signed for the Bypass Ground boys for the upcoming Sydenhams Premier Division campaign.

They join left-back Josh Green, an ex-Eastleigh second-stringer, who has signed for Romsey on a perma nent basis.

“We’ve struck up a partnership with Dan Wright, Eastleigh’s reserve team manager,” Town boss Danny Barker explained. “I know Dan myself and Andy Samuels, who has joined us as a first-team coach, is close to him.”

“We’ve had various meetings with Eastleigh and they’re happy for the two lads, Jamie and Geoff, to come to us for this season and get some games.

“They’re young, hun gry and talented lads who will add a lot of energy to our squad.”

Employed full-time by sports coaching company Planet Sport, Samuels holds a multitude of qualifications including the FA Level 2 award and FA Youth Module awards. His playing career included spells at Plymouth Argyle, Bashley, Otterbourne and Winchester City.

He will work alongside another Level 2-qualified coach Dan Piper, Romsey’s first-team coach last season, and goalkeeping coach Nigel Green who has been with several Wessex clubs, including Totton & Eling.

Romsey also have a new reserve team set-up, headed by ex-Lyndhurst man Martin Jennings with James Phillips assisting, and Barker is confident the club have made giant strides for ward after a testing first season at the helm.

“For all the difficulties of last year, I always knew where we needed to take the club and that it would take time to set things in motion,” he said. “We’ve now got a very strong backroom staff and the club seems a far cry from last season already.

“We’re working closely with Romsey Town Youth FC and we’ve changed our training ground to Mountbatten School which gives us a better surface to work on.”

Romsey sent a mixed side to Bridport last Saturday and lost 4-0 in scorching temperatures.

They travel to Western Leaguers Gillingham on Thursday.