NEWLY-appointed Bridgwater Town manager Paul West says he is pleased to be back in football after a three-year absence and looking forward to getting stuck into the new season, which gets under way on August 8.

The Robins travel to Winchester City on the opening day of the season, before welcoming local rivals Taunton the following Tuesday (August 11) – and West says preparations for the new campaign are progressing well.

He said: “Pre-season has been good and it’s been an opportunity to use and look at some of the local lads here.

“Josh White is a player I’ve heard a lot about and he’s now got an opportunity and he’s looked really strong and impressive, as has Harry Horton.

“We had a lot of players leave the club over the summer, before I’d had a chance to speak to them, so we need to rebuild.

“But we’ve got a number of good, young local lads, 19, 20, 21 year-olds who are very keen.

“We’ve got a big start to the league season, especially with Taunton second game – so I’m looking forward to getting the season started.

“I’m pleased to be back at Bridgwater and looking forward to the season.

“I’ve always had some good banter with the Bridgwater fans – and it’s just nice to be back in football to be honest.”

Town finished last season in 12th place in Southern League Division One South and West – and the new manager insists they must be realistic with their season aims, mainly due to the ‘big money’ being spent by other clubs in the division.

West said: “We have got to be realistic with our targets, because there is big money getting thrown around by some clubs and it’s quite frightening – there are five or six teams all chucking big money about, so we’ve got to be realistic.

“But I’ve got some very good, decent, young footballers here and they want to play for the club.”

Craig Carr has also joined as assistant manager – and West describes the former Yeovil Town midfielder as ‘a really good football man to have around.’

Meanwhile, Bridgwater will play Shortwood United in the first round of the Red Insure Cup on October 13.