IT IS a new start in the Ryman League with a new 3G pitch but manager John Fowler insists the one thing that will not be new at Whyteleafe is the players.
Many teams have promised to stick by the footballers who earned them promotion from Step Five, only to find life in the Ryman League more difficult than imagined and subsequently been forced to tear apart their squad in a bid to avoid dropping straight back down.
But after earning promotion back to Division One South as Southern Counties East League champions, Fowler is confident his Leafe side will be the exception to the rule.
"I'm planning to add a couple, we have more games in the Ryman so I think we need a bit of strength in depth but it will mainly be last season's squad. I can't really ask the chairman for money given what he's just spent on the new pitch," Fowler joked.
"To be honest I'd be more than happy to start the new season with the squad that won the league. I think they have more than enough about them to hold their own in the Ryman League.
"I know every manager must think that and then have to go back on it, but I think we're going to break the rule.
"Looking at the other teams promoted to Ryman South, I don't think South Park will make loads of changes either and I think they'll hold their own.
"The clubs that have been forced to change their teams probably didn't have so many players with Ryman experience as us.
"We have a lot of players who have players in both the Ryman South and also the Premier Division, even the Conference."
However, Fowler has brought in three new players who all featured in the first game on the new pitch – an entertaining 2-2 draw with Kingstonian.
"It was literally looking for slight additions here and there," Fowler explained. "We have signed a keeper, Adam Highsted, from Bromley, and a couple of lads in the centre of midfield; Simon Benza and Nick Gonzalez.
"We have Jason Thompson and Jensen Grant from last season, who could still probably play at a high level, but I wanted more strength in depth."
