It's been a difficult few years for the club with a number of players leaving the club. Last summer was the worst I've ever known for a club in North Wales, between March 2016 and March 2017 27 players left the club. The decision was made by myself and a couple of the senior players that we should build a core using the youngsters that were at the club. This meant stripping the reserves of a number of their best players. The 2nd half of last season was a vast improvement on the 1st half, we built a very good and competitive team but also built up the morale in the team.

That decision back in December has proven to be a fantastic decision, only 2 players left the club this summer, Darren Lewthwaite moved to his hometown club Gaerwen and David Clarke moved to Welsh Alliance 1 champions Glantraeth. We wish them both all the best for the season ahead until we play them of course.

With the majority of last seasons squad staying with the club we were able to concentrate on strengthening the squad rather than scraping a team together. And I believe that myself and Tim have strengthened the squad very well in key areas too. We lacked goals last season so we worked tirelessly to bring in plenty of attacking options, Ryan Wood returns to the club after spells at Menai Bridge and Llangefni, even without a preseason Ryan has looked really sharp and confident in front of goal. We've also brought in Danny Camilleri from Beaumaris who has been scoring for fun in preseason and looks to have built up a great understanding with Ryan and Tim Evans who joined the club from Menai Bridge. Tim has mainly played as a wide man, but he has such quick feet and is comfortable on the ball in some really tight areas that he will suit playing more centrally this season. We have real depth in attacking positions so fingers crossed goals won't be our Achilles heal this time round.

A change of system mid way through last season has really suited the squad but there was a real need for more depth out wide, we now have 4 very good options with the addition of Dion Williams from Menai Bridge. Dion has settled in to the club very quickly and has looked very threatening going forward. We've also added a lot of depth in the centre of the park, Ricky Roberts joined midway with Tom Verberg to strengthen the midfield, 2 very different players who will strengthen the squad and provide us with even more ways of playing and setting out for certain fixtures.

Our marquee signing arguably is Dylan Williams from Glantraeth, I've been very impressed with Dyl ever since the 1st training session he attended. His understanding of the game and his experience will help everyone around him this season including myself. We are spoilt for choice in most positions this season, and I know the quality that we have added will help the youngsters improve as individuals and as a team. They've already shown it in preseason, the extra competition and added quality has helped them all up their game.

We haven't just strengthened on the pitch, we've also strengthened off it, Tim Davies will work alongside me as my assistant and has played a big part in some of the new signings. We've also brought Owain 'Spud' Roberts back to the club as a player/coach, unfortunately Owain has missed most of preseason but will be contributing in training and on match days. The 3 of us all want to play the same way and understand what we need to do to give this squad of players everything they need to succeed and achieve our goals this season. Last but not least in the backroom staff, Darren Jones is now the first team goalkeeping coach, Darren has worked with our goalkeepers for many years but this year we hope he can spend more time around the first team.

It's been a really productive Summer for the team, I still think we're in need of a couple more players in key areas but we're not far away from where we need to be. The new lads have all settled in really well and the morale in the squad is very high. It's been a pleasure to work with this squad in preseason, they all believe in the new system and style of play and have all worked hard to get there. Hopefully we can start the season with 3 points tomorrow but know their won't be any easy games this season.

Finally I'd just like to wish all Anglesey clubs at every level all the best for the season ahead. I'd also like to wish Llandudno Albion and Mynydd Llandygai the very best of luck in Division 1, it really would be an unbelievable story if Albion could go on and win yet another league title and promotion on the bounce.

Come along this season and show the new squad that a small village has a lot of passion and will get behind this team as always.