Cleal is just about to start his third season in charge, having served the Kayte Lane club with distinction as a player under Paul Collicutt's managerial reign.

12 players put pen to paper at the club's first training session on Monday night, including new boys Mark Magee, Nick Rhodes and Paul Holmes.

The others to sign were: Matt Magee, Dan Sherry, Jack Horrell, Harlie Price,Shane Bumphrey, Matt Wiezoreck, Jordan Stoddart, Aaron Drake and skipper Kirk Layton.

Cleal took over in 2014 and Cleeve finished one place off the bottom of the Southern League Division One South and West at the end of his first season, but they improved to finish 12th last term.

"I'm really looking forward to continuing the progression from last season and having just had our first pre-season session it shows that the club is moving forward," Cleal said. "I can't wait to see what we can achieve over the next few years."

Cleeve's first pre-season match is tonight against Lydney at Harrow Hill FC with their first home friendly a big one against Cheltenham Town who returned to the Football League at the first attempt last season.

Article credit: Jon Palmer - Gloucestershire Live
Photo credit: Glenn Watts