LISKEARD Athletic joint managers Martin Hodge and Richard Woods have had a busy summer adding to their playing squad ahead of the new South West Peninsula League Premier West season.

The Blues have introduced seven new faces to their playing roster, while retaining most of their 2019-20 players.

Luke Gwillam (Camelford), Tommy Norton (Callington Town), Tom Manuel and Jensen Bryan (both Saltash United), Jake Cribb (Bodmin Town), Callum Brown (St Blazey) and John Ballo (Callington) have all arrived.

In addition, former Callington Town joint boss Lee Mann has joined the coaching staff, while Jack Podmore, James Lorenz and Tom Cleveland are all back in training after suffering bad injuries.

‘We have got 20 training at the minute and we have retained most of last year’s squad,’ explained Hodge.

Goalkeeper Ollie Chenoweth was tempted away to Bodmin Town, and Hodge said: ‘That was a worry because goalkeeper is not the best of positions to find a replacement, but we have signed Luke Gwillam from Camelford, so that is a plus for us because he is a local lad, so I am over the moon with that one.

‘He is experienced, he has had three or four seasons in the league, and he was the county youth keeper.

‘Tommy Norton and John Ballo have come in from Callington, and they are looking good in training.

‘Callum Brown and Tom Manuel have also come in and we are glad to get those two, and another, Jensen Bryan, who is only 16, and he will be part of the squad but he is going to be one for the future, we hope.

‘Jake Cribb is also looking sharp in training, so we are happy to get him, and the squad is looking pretty decent.

‘We have brought in Lee Mann to help myself and Woodsy out and he has settled in really well and has been taking some good sessions and we are glad to have him on board.’

Hodge added: ‘We have had at least five sessions so far and we are over the moon with the squad we have got and the way the lads have been training.

‘Myself and Rich have said that we are going to have a nice problem on our hands, with players to choose from.

‘It is a young squad, most of them are aged between 20 and 26, and we are happy about that, and we have got quite a few local lads, which is a nice thing to have.

‘Carl Thorp Building and Construction Ltd is going to be our main sponsor again, which is also good news.’