Former Willand Rovers and Exmouth Town striker Matt Dawson has signed for the 2019/20 season.

Pears told www.bucklandathletic.com: “Matt is a strong and powerful forward who is an excellent target man and is a proven striker at this level. He’s in the best condition I have seen him in and being an ex-Marine, he has a fantastic attitude and will give everything for the shirt.”

Defender Owen Stockton has also committed to Buckland.

Stockton represented his local club Watcombe Wanderers before moving to Bovey Tracey last year.

He was instrumental in helping Bovey win the Devon Premier Cup and securing promotion to the South West Peninsula League from the Devon League whilst also winning managers` and players` player of the year awards.

Pears added: “I’m really pleased to have signed two young and exciting local players in Owen and Cieran. They both had fantastic seasons last year with Bovey and have been extremely impressive in pre-season training with us so far.”

Centre Midfielder Cieran Bridger, 21, also signs from Bovey Tracey.

Like Stockton, Bridger played locally for Watcombe Wanderers before his move a year ago to Bovey Tracey.

Pears said: “I’m really pleased to have signed Cieran. He’s an exciting local young talent that had a fantastic season last year with Bovey Tracey, he will bring real quality to the side.”

Former Exmouth and Barnstaple Town midfielder Nathan Cooper has also signed.

Pears commented: “Nathan is a young, talented midfielder player who has an excellent attitude and can go box-to-box for 90 minutes. He’s a great addition to the squad and hopefully will provide us goals from midfield which is an area where we are looking to improve this season.”

Danny Gaze returns after a spell with South West Peninsula League Division One East side Stoke Gabriel.

Gaze returns to The Heath having made over 300 appearances for the club.

Pears was clearly pleased to get Danny on board: “I am really pleased to have Danny agree to a return as he is an experienced, quality player that will give us natural balance on the left-hand side. He has shown in pre-season so far that he is a winner and that he works tremendously hard and he brings the lads together with him. This is what we need at the club if we want to compete at the top of the table this season”.