VS Rugby have made a host of new signings – but are keen to make several more.

The Dr Martens Midland Division side have tempted several ex-players back and have high hopes of some blossoming young talent for the coming season.

They kick-off at home to Stourbridge on Saturday but chairman Tony Mann is keen to see more signings in the boardroom.

He said:

"Running a non-League soccer club is hard work and we are desperately short of board members. I am not saying that we want to be taken over by a consortium but if there is a group of local businessmen who fancy getting together and coming on board, then we would be interested.

"It would have to be right for both sides but we do need more help. We have always said that we would stand aside if the right group did want to take over, but we certainly need more help."

Mann is confident manager Martin Sockett can give the club a far better season after their third-from-bottom finish in May, and he has certainly been busy in the transfer market.

Kieren Sullivan, a veteran from the Jimmy Knox days, has returned from Racing Club Warwick to help tighten up the defence and already seems to be doing just that – VS didn’t concede a single goal in friendlies against Atherstone, Telford and Nuneaton.

Midfielder Simon Mason comes back from Shepshed along with Lee Harriman, who operates wide on the right, and centre-forward Matty Owen who re-signs from Sutton Coldfield.

The two youngsters Mann is pinning hopes on are Derek Lavery and Dennis Taylor. Lavery is fresh out of local football in Daventry, while Taylor showed his goalscoring form in pre-season. The 17-year-old knocked in five goals in the first half of one youth team match, then came on in the second half of a senior friendly with Pershore and scored twice to help them to a 5-1 victory.