Witham Town have been given a double boost as they launch their preparations for the new Ryman League division two campaign.

Manager George Young is set to sign highly-regarded former Billericay Town striker Paul Battram to lead his forward line.

And ex-West Ham man Paul Hilton has also joined the club to help on the coaching side.

Witham host Ryman League premier division side Purfleet on Saturday in their opening pre-season friendly.

Young said he hoped Battram, who has been plagued by injury over recent years, would be among the side.

He missed the whole of the second half of last season with an ankle injury after a horror tackle during Billericay's match with Boreham Wood.

Prior to that he had been a regular in the side - and was massively popular with the club's fans during his four-and-a-half year stay.

Young said that training was going well - and that he would be looking to blood a number of the club's promising youngsters before the season's kick-off against Cheshunt on August 14.

He said: "We've got a lot of young players who we I would like to give an opportunity to. I've got high hopes. I saw our youth side play Halstead reserves the other day and they did really well - that is where we need to work."

Of last season's squad Mitchell Springett has joined Heybridge while diminutive striker Lee Guiver has signed for Dartford.

Among those definitely returning are goalkeeper Tony Williams and central defensive pairing Dean Brabrook and Justin Pearce.

The club also has high hopes for 17-year-olds Gerry Hawes and John Elmes, who both look set to play a big part in the campaign.

The Purfleet match kicks off at 3pm on Saturday. On Tuesday Witham entertain local rivals Braintree Town at Spa Road.

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