LYMINGTON Town have unveiled Pete Castle, Chris Marwood and John Mulhern in an impressive batch of summer signings.

Managers Stuart and Matt Hussey said they would only stay on if the New Forest club were pre pared to try and build on last season’s 11th-placed finish in the Sydenhams Premier Division.

Now, following positive feedback from chairman George Shaw and vice-chairman Richie Maton, the Husseys have committed for a second season.

And they been given the green light to assemble a squad which younger brother Stuart believes is capable of mounting a top-four challenge.

Castle’s signing, in particular, will make rival clubs sit up and take notice.

In 2003 the Southampton-based defender became Reading’s youngest ever first-team player, aged 16 years and 49 days, having made outstanding progress through the Royals’ academy.

He has since played for Staines Town, Bashley, AFC Totton and, most recently Gosport Borough – all at Southern League standard or above.

Castle’s fitness levels have come in for criticism in recent seasons, but Stuart Hussey said: “His attitude is first class and he’s getting fitter week on week.

“I don’t think Pete’s been fully fit or focused at any (non-League) club in the past but there’s a lot of weight on his shoulders at Lymington because peo ple will expect him to do well at this level. If we can get him anywhere near his best, he’s going to be one of the best defenders in this league.”

Powerful targetman Marwood also brings higher league experience to Southampton Road, having been dual-signed by AFC Totton from neighbours Totton & Eling last term.

So too does gifted former Lymington & New Milton wideman Mulhern, who had a spell with Conference outfit Farnborough Town in 2004. He has more recently been playing below his capabilities with Hythe & Dibden in Sydenhams One.

Also new in at Lymington are Totton & Eling trio Danny Steer, Mark Lloyd and Adam Lowther and ex-Romsey Town defender Iain Calder from Andover.

The club will also hand a chance to former AFC Bournemouth midfielder James Rowe, who has done the non-League rounds with Bashley, Winchester City, Bemerton, Poole Town and Gosport, and combative left-sided player Liam Crook who returned to the Winchester ranks last season after a spell with Gosport in the Southern One South & West. Goalkeeper Ryan Gosney is in training with Lymington with a view to providing competition for Stuart Williamson. Both men will be taken under the wing of new arrival Reggie Palmer, a former goalkeeping coach with Hamble, Romsey and Winchester.