SUPPORTERS of Porthleven Football Club's Carlsberg SWL side will need a "who's who" before watching their side play in the coming season because they will be watching a completely new side.

The new manager, John Clarkson, is quite clearly a well organised man and realising that many of last season's players would take the opportunity to move on, was quick to make his move and snap up the players he had targeted at the end of the season.

The result is that for the first time in the club's history, virtually all the Fishermen's established players will come from over the border in Devon.

Mr Clarkson, a former Arsenal apprentice who also played for Scottish League sides Dunfermline and Aidrie as well as Port Vale and Stafford Rangers, said he was delighted to get the Porthleven job and was keen to bring them the success he thought they deserved.

"It is a very friendly club and they make you feel so welcome," said Mr Clarkson. They treated my wife and myself very well when we came to see them.

"They've always been there fighting to win the honours, but have never quite managed to win the league.

"The players I've signed want to play for Porthleven and one of the players even travelled down to Porthleven to look at the ground before signing."

The new manager is not only dealing with on-field matters, he's also helping out off the field and has already obtained a new sponsored kit which this season will be black and yellow stripes with yellow shorts and socks.

A change strip of blue shirts, white shorts and socks has also been obtained along with sponsored club tracksuits and kit bags.

The quality of his squad is one that will quite clearly be talked about, but the big test will be whether this newly assembled squad will gel together.

Former manager Mr Alan Carey was another who always had to build his sides from scratch, so it seems it goes with the territory at Gala Parc.

Whilst Mr Clarkson might find his popularity increasing at Porthleven, he might find it has the opposite effect in Devon where he has raided all the top clubs for his players and says "I've got the best players from Dartmouth, Dawlish and Ivybridge."

One of the players, Danny Lewis, who played for England under-18s last season, has even re-arranged his holidays so that he can play in the pre-season friendlies.

Among those signed are Steve Blurton who scored 35 goals for Dawlish last season and Martin Quinn who was top goalscorer for Dartmouth.

Because of the annual caravan camp at Gala Parc the Fishermen's friendlies are all away and are: July 23, Dartington (6.45), 26 Topsham (3.00), August 2 Collumpton (3.00), 5 Crediton (6.45), 9 Sturminster (3.00), 12 Mount Gould (6.45).

"The club is hungry for success and I hope that we can bring it to them," added Mr Clarkson.

At the club's annual meeting Mr Leonard Williams stepped down as chairman and is replaced by Jan Coulls. Mr Gary Pascoe succeeds Mr Coulls as vice-chairman with Mr Vidal James continuing as football secretary, Mrs Ann Smith as club secretary, and Mrs Jill Green as treasurer.

Mr Clarkson was still in the market for players and on Sunday was hoping to add another two players to his squad.

Those already signed are:

Rob Powell (ex Notts County/Cheltenham/Ivybridge), Danny Lewis (Plymouth Argyle, England u18s), Huw Morgan (Liskeard), Danny Gulliver (Exeter City Youth), Martin Quinn (Dartmouth), James Lynch (Ivybridge), Ian Rowe (Holsworthy), Neil Montando, goalkeeper (Taunton / Newton Abbot, Devon County side), Jamie Ahern (Dartmouth/Liskeard), Ben Williamson (ex Western League), Paul Sowden (Ivybridge), Lee Williams (Ivybridge) Shaun Ingham (Dawlish/Newton Abbot), Andy Rawlinson (Dawlish/Newton Abbot/Exeter City), Justin Heath (Devon county skipper), Steve Blurton (Dawlish/Elmore), Simon Lewcock (Dartmouth), Mark Forrester (Torquay United).