Almondsbury manager Paul Weeks gets prepared for the Hellenic Premier League season (From Gazette Series)

Almondsbury manager Paul Weeks gets prepared for the Hellenic Premier League season

10:34am Thursday 9th July 2009 in

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ALMONDSBURY TOWN manager Paul Weeks has made three new signings as he plans an assault on the Hellenic Premier League title next season.

Former Team Bath forward Matt Williams has signed from Cirencester Town, ex-Forest Green forward Kacey Johnstone has made the switch from Shortwood United and midfielder Simon Gilbert has re-joined the club from Larkhall Athletic.

Last season’s leading goalscorer Richard Kear is understood to be training with Cinderford, while Paul Milsom has left to become assistant manager at Paulton Rovers but Almondsbury have kept the rest of last season’s squad together, including former Yate Town midfielder Paul Chenoweth.

Almonds boss Weeks is delighted to keep most of the squad that ended last season so strongly and helped them win the SBJ Insurance Brokers League Challenge Cup, and believes the new signings will help them improve further.

“I’ve done really well to get them because there were a lot of clubs that wanted them from a higher level but they wanted to be part of what we are trying to build,” he said.

“The most important thing was to keep the nucleus of the squad because the momentum from last season was massive.

“I’ve got the biggest shop window going but other clubs have got to understand it will take a hell of a lot to move them from our place because we do things right and want to win.

“After the success of last season, the way we finished in the league and won a cup, it was a shame that the season finished but the guys are all excited to be back.

“It’s a contrast to last season when we had just missed out on promotion and nobody wanted to see a football.”

Almondsbury start their pre-season campaign at Keynsham on July 18 before they host Blue Square North new boys Gloucester City on July 21 and a side from Championship giants Bristol City on July 24.

They have trips to Bishops Cleeve and Odd Down on July 28 and 30 respectively before hosting Mangotsfield United on August 4.

On August 8, they will play Cheltenham Saracens for the ‘Crusey cup’ at Oaklands Park in memory of former player Rob Cruse, who was tragically killed in a car accident earlier this year.