Alresford sign 'the Beast of Alton!'

But like all good managers, co-bosses Tim Cole and Danny Robinson always strive to do better which is why they have added the formidable frontline figure of Steve Brown to their treble-winning squad.

Originally a centre-back with Alton Town, Brown has played up front for the last few seasons and spent much of last term in the Southern League with Poole Town.

Laughing at the sheer ‘greed’ of signing another striker, Robinson said: “Warren Bentley and Zach Glasspool must think we’re mad!

"After they scored 70-odd goals between them last season, we’ve gone out and signed ‘the Beast of Alton!’

“But we did need another striker to replace Steve Harding who’s gone back to his old club Liphook as player/assistant manager.

“Graham Purser, our new reserve team boss, knows Steve (Brown) well and got in his ear over the summer about joining us.

“He turned up at our first training session and hasn’t missed one since and he’s scored in his first three friendlies.”

While Bentley and Glasspool grabbed most of the headlines last term, goalkeeper Steve Phillips was one of the unsung heroes of an Alresford side who surprised everyone by winning the Hampshire FA Senior, Sydenhams League and North Hants Senior Cups while pushing champions Blackfield & Langley for the Sydenhams title.

But Phillips, who moved to the area as a Winchester University student, has been unable to find a job locally and has returned to his home county Sussex.

“Steve’s finished university and he was trying to get a job and stay in the area, but he’s gone back to Sussex where he’s working for a company who put up tents for festivals,” Robinson explained.

“There’s a chance he may be back in October but I’m not going to put pressure on the lad.”

Alresford have covered their bases by bringing in young keeper Jason Collins, who played 24 Wessex games for third-placed Christchurch last term.

“Jason’s one we’ve always known about and he deserves his chance to be an out and out number one,” said Robinson.

With Dan Edwards, the Magpies’ longest-serving player, retiring and Carl Saunders moving to Hartley Wintney, the club have brought a handful of new faces into the fold.

Paul Preston has switched from Blackfield & Langley and fellow wideman Tom Donaldson, formerly of Romsey, has climbed aboard from New Milton Town.

Luke Dempsey, an ex-Sholing and Romsey player, has joined from Hayling United and will bring some valuable versatility to the squad.

“Luke was here at the start of last season before he went off to Hayling,” Robinson explained. “He’s a versatile lad who can do us a job as a midfielder, centre-half or right-back.

“We’ve got good cover for pretty much every position now and it’s a young squad. Barring Browner, who’s 23, pretty much everyone else is 22 or under.”

Another player the Magpies had their eyes on was Blackfield right-back TJ McClory-Cuthbertson, who has decided to stay at Gang Warily.

Blackfield boss Glenn Burnett interpreted that as a sign that Alresford must now be throwing a bit of money at it, but Robinson says that’s not the case.

Commenting on Alresford’s interest in McClory-Cuthbertson, Burnett said: “Last year Alresford didn’t have any money, but it shows how quickly things are changing. They’ve come in for the best right-back in the league which shows they mean business.”

Robinson clarified: “I read what Glenn said, but it’s not the case.

“We’d like to have found a way of paying players a bit in expenses, but we don’t have the money.

“We have to try and find players that other managers aren’t necessarily looking at and keep our eyes out for a diamond in the rough.

“We tried to get one or two bigger names in, but it hasn’t materialised which is a bit frustrating, but all the Wessex managers tend to go for the same players.

“All we can offer our lads is the chance to be part of a Hampshire Senior Cup-winning side!

“But Tim and I are really pleased with the lads who’ve come in.”