AMBITIOUS Andover took a big step fowards by signing star strikers Justin Bennett and Vince Rusher on new three-and-a-half year contracts before last Saturday's victory against Wimborne Town.

And former owner Ken Cunningham Brown has also pledged his support to the Lions by presenting them with a £5,000 sponsorship cheque at this Saturday's Hants Senior Cup third round clash against Alton Town (3pm).

Andover managing director Rob Read has also revealed that the town club is currently negotiating a new major sponsorship deal with a group of large companies.

"We will be better placed to make an announcement about the deal in the next few weeks but take it from me that the future of the Lions is looking very secure and we are aiming for higher things in the future with development of the stadium and facilities running hand in hand with the progress of the team."

He added that the last three weeks have proved to be the most productive yet both on and off the pitch since the club was reformed during the summer. They have superb victories against JWL title-chasers Eastleigh and Wimborne and rated last Saturday's win as 'the performance of the season'.

Read was also pleased to announce that Andover had secured the long term services of Justin Bennett and Vince Rusher by signing contracts that will keep both players at The Portway for the next three-and-a-half years.

"They have both shown tremendous faith in the club by signing these contracts," said the Andover MD. "Justin has shown superb potential and Vinny is playing in our opinion the best football of his career. The way they have teamed up as been superb and long term the prospects look fantastic, especially with the arrival of young striker Dean Cole who joined us last week from AFC Portchester."

The future of the town club was further enhanced this week with new Andover chairman Mike Bullock finally coming to agreement on the hand over of the lease of The Portway with former owner Ken Cunningham Brown.

Read said that KCB had ensured that the deal was favourable to the club but the icing on the came when he offered a £5,000 towards their continued growth and success.

"Ken will be attending The Portway this Saturday to make the sponsorship presentation to Mike Bullock during out cup game against Alton Town and I along with the rest of the team here would like to send our sincere thanks to him for his valued support," Read said.

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With Vinny Rusher's continued absence due to suspension and Paul George unavailable due to injury, the only noted absentee from manager Howard Goddard's squad for this Saturday's Hants Senior Cup tie against Alton Town is striker Neil Butler.

Butler has not been seen at the club for the past few of weeks and Goddard said that the former Whitchurch striker would probably be leaving the club. "He's not been around for a few weeks and that's not acceptable," Goddard said.

The Andover boss expects another tough game with an improving Alton side who grabbed a JWL point from a 2-2 draw when they visited The Portway last month.

Andover (from): Drake; Richards, Damen (capt), Pratley, Kennedy, Hughes, Lynch, McNulty, Nurse, Bennett, Rea, Sullivan, Kearney, Cole, Phil Nichols, Mariner, Keith Nichols, Keith Nichols, Hutchings.

The Lions are also in action next Tuesday in the JWL with a trip to BAT Sports followed by two games with Thatcham Town in the space of four days with Andover visiting Waterside Park in the league on the Saturday followed by the return leg in the second round of the JWL League Cup at The Portway the following Tuesday.