YATE Town’s manager, Craig Laird, is looking to take the club forward with a raft of new signings and a new philosophy on the game.

The former Weston-super-Mare boss was named as Yate manager in March as has started to bring in new talent to the club in anticipation of the new season.

Bideford’s Matt Villis and Taunton’s Brett Trowbridge were the first signings to be announced.
Villis, 31, started his career at Plymouth before moving to Torquay and following that spells with Tiverton and Weston-super-Mare, who he made over 100 appearances for.

Trowbridge has himself been capped over 200 times for Weston.

Callum Laird, youngest son of the Bluebells boss, has also been signed to the club, providing a range of new options in defence.

He will join former Cinderford player Jack Camm and another ex-Weston player Alec Fiddles at Lodge Road next season.

Laird has also bolstered his backroom staff, bringing in Rob Dray as a coach, as well as to help with recruitment.

With fresh faces in the dressing room Laird is confident going into the season.

“We’ve got a good feeling going into the season,” said Laird.

“I don’t want to sound big headed but we want to win the league first, then if not try and get in the playoffs.

“I think with the experience we can bring in and the youth players that are coming through it bodes well for us.

“We’ve been looking for strength where we think we’ve been weak in numbers and we’ve brought a couple of guys in.

“We won’t be taking anything for granted though. We respect all of the clubs, managers and players in the league and we have to go in prepared.”

It’s not just new players that Laird is bringing in for next season, but also a new tactical approach to the game.

“We’re going to try a different style of football, with the ball on the ground,” explains Laird.

“The grass is there to be played on so it’s something we’ll try and do.

“It will be difficult at the times as the pitches in the league may not be conducive to a passing game, but it’s my philosophy and the way I want to play.

“I want to win the league playing with some style and some panache.”