Howell and Birmingham held their first training session on Friday at East Dean FC as they continue to plot their assault on the Isthmian South Central division following relegation from the premier division last season.

They have recruited keeper Mac Chisholm, midfielder Waledin Ahmed, striker Simba Mlambo, schemer Ethan Robb, midfielder Sam Hookey and defender Matt Jones — with Tommy Block Harvey Whyte, Chad Field, Dan Gifford and Toby Kingswell remaining at the club. Harvey Rew and Ben Anderson are still in the group and looking to win their fitness battles.

Meanwhile, Jasper Mather, Calvin Davies, Ryan Hall, Tommy-Lee Higgs and Lucas Pattenden have all left the club.

And Howell said of the first training get-together: “It was really good and we are delighted with the turnout. We don’t particularly want a load of trialists in; we want a close-knit unit so the lads have got a good team spirit and we will look for that all through pre-season.

“The first session went well. It was quite an easy one and the hard work starts next week. There was a really good spirit at the training ground. We have a few ideas on a couple of other players; a couple of lads might be coming in but we will have to wait and see what happens over pre-season. Apart from that we are pretty happy with the work that we have done.”

Pictures: LOU CHAMBERLAIN