Bush Hill have acted to put an end to their player availability problems that blighted their first season in the Puma Engineering Hampshire Premier League Senior Division.

Manager Eugene McManus has stated that had the Millbrook-based outfit had of had a larger squad last term, they would have claimed 30 more points than they did.

That would have put them level on points with champions Hamble Club.

However, a fifth place finish in their first campaign after winning Division One in 2013/14, isn’t to be sniffed in an ever stronger division.

Bush Hill will now return next season with a huge increase of players at its disposal, thanks to the arrival of new reserve team and already three new summer purchases.

“What last season taught us last year that more depth is needed,” said McManus. “We threw away at least 30 points because of player availability problems.

“That’s been a massive learning curve for us, but what it showed me was the character of the players that were playing every game.

“The only regret I really have looking back over the season is seeing how many points we dropped because we couldn’t get a squad together.

“It played a major part in the season.

“Now with the reserve team and new players coming onboard, we should be able to see the back of those days.”

Three players have already been added to the team, with ex-Winchester City attacker Daniel Smith, who appeared 31 times in the Wessex last term, arriving from Brockenhurst, who are managed by Eugene’s brother Pat.

Another Grigg Lane star Lewis Gundry has also swapped Wessex for county football, after work commitments meant he couldn’t sign on with the Badgers for another term.

The ex-Brock captain, who plays as a defensive midfielder, and Smith are considered big coups for Bush Hill. Twenty-four-year-old left midfielder Reece Meek has also joined.

Their transfer business is far from finished, though.

Former Lymington and Brockenhurst defender Martyn Randall is being monitored, with a view to a potential move, as well as ex-QK Southampton and Hamble Club centre-back Nathan Golding .

With the club already in pre-season training, McManus is chomping at the bit to get stuck into another season.

When asked if his remit is to win the league, he said: “Absolutely, that will be our ambition.

“Other teams will be strengthening, though, and it will be tough league.”