....how his side's pre-season preparations are shaping up, but he says his management team are still on the hunt for one more recruit to reinforce his defensive ranks ahead of the club's first season at Step 4.

Speaking to him following Saturday's 3-0 defeat to landlords Biggleswade Town in The Chairman's Cup, Northfield reflects on how things are coming together since returning from the summer break: "I'm really pleased with how the first few weeks have gone. We have had a large influx of players looking to be involved, so it’s been fun to say the least. We have used the first few games to take a look at some of the new lads and to make decisions on who we think are going to add something to the side.

“We are in a great position with virtually all of last season's squad re-signed, so it is just a case of trying to add to that and improve if we can in certain areas. We have lost four lads with Benat Pena returning to Spain, work has seen us lose Michael Carroll, while goalkeeper Ross Tompkins felt he couldn’t commit to Step 4. The other lad to leave was Justin Leavers, who has moved to Potton United where I think he will do brilliant and would expect with the right service he will get 20-plus goals this season. Hopefully we will see Justin again in a season or two."

Whilst pleased with the number of last season's title-winning squad that have committed and signed on the dotted line for another season, Northfield is excited about some of his new additions that he hopes can make an impact in the coming weeks: "So far we have added Sean McMonagle - a forward who was with Luton Town as a youngster. He had a decent goalscoring record in the second half of last season whilst at university playing Step 5 for Wessex League side Horndean. Centre half Michael Fisher arrives from Bedford FC. We've been looking to get him on board for a while, so we are pleased to have him with us. We've signed a promising young full-back from Royston Town in Luke Oswick and attacking midfielder Charlie Joy from Baldock Town has looked sharp too.

“For the second summer running we've had to find a new keeper. Losing Ross left a big hole as last season he was superb plus his experience and humour added so much to the changing room. However, we think we have added a great replacement in Tyler Josephs from Potton who, last season, was the keeper in our area everyone was talking about. We think all these lads will add something to our squad and we will use tonight`s game at Stotfold to make final decisions on one or two others."

When asked if he felt there were any areas we could still do with reinforcing ahead of the first competitive fixture of the season, which will be the FA Cup at home to Mildenhall Town on Saturday, 10th August, Northfield replied: "I am very happy with what we have so far. We feel we are strong in the attacking department with lots of options and feel the same about our midfield. It’s the centre back position where we are still looking and that's taking nothing away from the lads we already have. We just feel we are a little thin on numbers in that area and could do with one more to add competition and reinforce us. If we can get one of those on board, we will be in good nick".

Looking ahead, Northfield gave his thoughts and aspirations for the busy forthcoming week of friendlies in the short-term and further afield as the club pits its wits against some household names at non-League level: "We have a big week game wise. After the Stotfold game we will start firming everything up and the games will become far more significant.

“I’ve been asked plenty of times what are we expecting for the coming season. I think myself, Skippy and James are firstly looking to stay in the division. Anything else like if we could finish mid-table would be a massive accomplishment. However, our first goal is being good enough to be there and compete".

Lee Rusbridge