Cherries Ladies have made a number of quality additions both on and off the pitch ahead of the new season.
Under the leadership of manager Darren Clarke and assistant manager Vince Taylor, there are high hopes for the 2012/13 season in the Hampshire Ladies League Division 3.
“I really do believe we are in with a good chance to challenge for the title as the team is far stronger than last year,” manager Clarke told afcb.co.uk.
“Our priority is, and always will be, playing the stylish football that we were known for last season.
“It will be a big advantage to us being able to use the new pitches at the back of Dean Court for our home matches. We like to play attractive football on the ground and a good pitch definitely helps our game.
“The three things that matter most to us are effort, improvement and enjoyment. We believe that with these three qualities, everything else will follow.”
Among the new signings are defenders Zoe Greenfield and Sarah Leech and midfielders Charlie Benefer, Danni Ormester, Sarah Leonardo Taylor and Jess Bradley.
Clarke is delighted with the calibre of the new additions and praises the club as a whole for attracting these players.
“It’s a major coop for the club to get these top quality ladies. I am particularly proud that both Charlie and Danni have signed, as they both had a number of offers from some of the best teams in the county to play for them.
“After a couple of training sessions with us, meeting the rest of the team and listening to our vision of the future, they chose to play for us. That is a credit to the whole organisation - not just me and Vince.”
The squad will also be boosted by the arrival of physiotherapist Craig Godbold, who has previously worked for West Ham Ladies and the Somerset Centre of Excellence.
He added, “I’m delighted that we have Craig as our physio. He has a wealth of experience and joins us at an exciting time.
“We had a smaller squad last year and injuries really affected us. He will be a huge asset - not just with injuries, but with preventive injury training.”