Despite it being the close season, Heybridge Swifts manager Liam Cutbush has been hard at work as he aims to build a squad capable of challenging for a Ryman League Premier Division top six place next season.

The team showed last year that at full strength they were a match for anyone, without having the required strength in depth needed for long term success at this level.

The first step in this process has been the re-signing of former Swifts player John Pollard who returns to his roots on a two year contract after two seasons with St Albans City.

Pollard is an experienced defender or midfielder, and his signing is an indication of the club's ambition and intent to build on the magnificent work of the last few years on and off the field.

Cutbush is looking to add at least two more new faces to last season's squad, all of whom have been offered terms for next season.

Skipper Gary Waters has signed a contract for next season and he is joined by Nicky Haydon, Ian Wiles, Terry Warwick, Kris Lee, Sean Caton, Dave Kreyling, Kingsley Banks, Adam Gillespie and Mark Cranfield.

The other players from last season are expected to put pen to paper on their return from holiday and working overseas.

With more money being put into the playing side, Cutbush's assistant Tony Adcock has not been retained, but it is an amicable parting, and Adcock's coaching last season was a crucial part of the Swifts' success.

Former Swifts manager Robbie Nihill returns to the dressing room as Cutbush's number two, along with Keith Hull.

An impressive list of pre-season friendlies is headed by the visit of a full Ipswich Town first team squad as part of the deal that took James Pullen to Portman Road last season.

This match will be all ticket, and distribution details will be announced shortly.

The games arranged so far are: July 25: v Colchester United (h); July 29: v v Ipswich Town (h); August 1: v Leyton Orient (h); August 2: v Harwich & Parkeston (a); August 4: v Halstead Town (a); August 8: v AFC Sudbury (a); and August 12: v Dagenham & Redbridge (h).

Busy time: Heybridge Swifts manager Liam Cutbush, who is looking ahead to the 2000/2001 campaign.

Converted for the new archive on 19 November 2001. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.