LLOYD Webber has boosted GE Hamble ahead of tonight’s home friendly against Sholing (7.45pm) by signing on for another season.

The midfield maestro reported back late for pre-season training due to commitments outside the game.

But he got 75 impressive minutes under his belt in Saturday’s 1-0 win at Chichester City and is ready to lead the Planemakers onwards and upwards from last term’s fifth-placed finish in the Sydenhams Premier Division.

“Lloyd’s signed and committed and he’s ready to be our team captain again, which is a massive plus for us,” said Hamble boss Dave Lewis.

“He’d only done one training session, but he was outstanding at Chichester.

“Jamie Musselwhite scored the only goal with a bullet header, but we must have hit the woodwork about five times.”

Richard Gregory has also committed for another season as has Musselwhite’s side-kick Ashley Jarvis, who recently played a trial game for Southern League outfit Poole Town.

“Everyone’s signed, we’re all set and I’m really happy with what we’ve got,” said Lewis, whose side entertain Gosport Borough on Friday (7.45pm).

Sholing boss Dave Diaper, meanwhile, has confirmed that defender Scott Sampson, a summer signing from AFC Totton , will begin the new season with Sydenhams Premier club Blackfield & Langley – just as he did last year.

The former AFC Bournemouth reserve team skipper left Blackfield to sign for Totton in the Southern Premier Division, but back-to-back injuries meant he played only a handful of games for the Stags.

Now back to fitness, he had hoped to get regular Southern League games with South & West promotion hopefuls Sholing, but he is struggling to make the commitment.

“Scott’s in the Marines and his work situation has changed,” said Diaper. “Scott will play for Sholing, but he’s training with Blackfield and will start the season there. “We’re not holding anyone back and it probably suits him knowing he’ll get regular games with Blackfield.”

Sampson’s former Newport IoW and AFC Totton teammate John McKie is unlikely to feature for Sholing at all because of difficulties getting over from the Isle of Wight. “It’s modern living,” said Diaper. “John and his wife are both family breadwinners and, because of his wife’s job, John can’t do the travelling.”

In an addition to their pre-season programme, Sholing will visit Stuart Ritchie’s Havant & Waterlooville on Saturday (3pm).