BROCKENHURST have welcomed two familiar faces back to Grigg Lane.

With their Sydenhams Premier preparations now all systems go after being granted planning permission for new floodlights, the Badgers have strengthened with the return of menacing wideman Will Tickle and rock-steady centre-back Joe Chamberlain.

Tickle is back in the fold having spent last season at Lymington Town, while Chamberlain – an ex-Eastleigh youngster – drifted out of football after just 12 appearances for Folland Sports at the start of 2015/16.

Brock boss Pat McManus said: “Centre-back was a problem area for us last season.

“Joe signed for Follands because it was more local for him, but he quickly decided it wasn’t for him and took a season out having played for me for two seasons previously.

“On his day, Will Tickle’s one of the best players in the Wessex Premier.

“Brock’s a different place now to when he left and Will’s looking forward to pre-season and is raring to go.

“He suits the way we want to play. Ideally we want him one side, Mark Barker the other, and Ryan Long though the middle. If that works out, it's a frightening front three.

"Ryan’s a target for AFC Totton and we’ll have to fend them off first, but his brother Jake has already signed on. We’ve kept everyone we wanted to keep so far and there’s just Ryan to get sorted.”

Having been given the green light for new floodlights by the New Forest National Park Authority, Brockenhurst hope to place an order by the end of this month with a view to the work being completed by the end of August.

It is estimated the new system - with modern LED bulbs designed to reduce light pollution - will cost in the region of £25,000-£30,000, some of which will be covered by Football Foundation funding.

Brock have also been busy with their own fundraising initiatives and have given up the rental on one of the mobile phone masts stationed at their ground in exchange for a capital sum.

The club have done extensive work on their pitch and the first team, together with the new under-18 and development squads, will train through the winter months at nearby Brockenhurst College.