....building a squad he feels is capable of mounting a push for promotion in their second season at Step 4 level.

Dean had already announced the signing of prolific marksman Jake Newman, formerly with AFC Rushden & Diamonds, Kettering Town and Spalding United, from Evo-Stik Southern League East side Kempston Rovers.

And he has been joined by experienced and highly-rated goalscoring centre-back Paul Malone from Corby Town, Jordan Brown from United Counties Leaguers Eynesbury Rovers, Mitch Griffiths from Eynesbury`s league rivals Holbeach United and another experienced campaigner in Ronayne Marsh-Brown, who was on the books at St Neots Town in the Southern Premier Division and at Barton Rovers last season.

Malone has had several spells with home-town club Corby Town, with stints at Stewarts & Lloyds, Stamford AFC and Desborough Town sandwiched in between.

Brown spent two years as a scholar at Cambridge United only to be released without the offer of a professional deal.

He moved into the non-League game with St Neots initially but made the short switch to Eynesbury after failing to earn regular football.

And the move last September could hardly have worked out any better. He hit 16 goals to help Rovers to a second successive top-six finish in the UCL Premier Division in 2016/17 and was part of the side that caused a major shock by beating the higher-level St Neots to lift the Hunts Senior Cup.

Last summer he trialled with Stevenage and scored 10 goals in 48 appearances for Eynesbury last season.

Griffiths is a midfielder who was a standout performer for Holbeach last term.

Another experienced campaigner, he numbers Lincoln United, Sleaford Town, Spalding United, Deeping Rangers and Boston United amongst his other former clubs.

Much-travelled Marsh-Brown started out with the likes of Gillingham and Macclesfield Town and has since had spells of varying lengths with Bath City, Dorchester Town, Crawley Town, Welling United, Dutch side RKC Waalwijk, Harrow Borough, Northwood, Aylesbury FC, Metropolitan Police, Chalfont St Peter, Bedford Town, St Neots and Barton Rovers.

Sports have, however, lost last season’s top scorer Mark Jones who will be travelling, and defender Ollie Medwynter who has retired.

Talented forward Jordan Macleod is currently coaching in the United States and has yet to confirm a return date and goalkeeper Dan George is expected to return to United Counties League Premier Division neighbours Peterborough Northern Star.