BOWERS & Pitsea boss Rob Small admits he has found it difficult to add players to his squad in the close season.

Small’s men enjoyed another excellent season in the Isthmian North, just missing out on automatic promotion before losing against Canvey Island in the play-off semi-finals.

Despite that defeat, Small has retained most of his squad, with goalkeeper Callum Chafer, midfielders Jamie Salmon and Adalberto Pinto and striker Adam Vyse - who joined on loan from Tilbury at the end of the season - the only players departing the Len Salmon Stadium.

However, while the remainder of the squad have agreed to remain Small says it has been tough persuading new players to join the club.

“It has been quite difficult to get new players over the line,” said the Bowers chief.

“We have been working hard and have come very close to signing some excellent players but they have joined other clubs instead, which is, of course, disappointing.

“We are perhaps guilty of trying to sign champagne players with a lemonade budget, but we are ambitious.

“We have finished sixth and third in the last two seasons and this is a club players will want to join due to the success we have had in a short space of time.”

James Thomas is the latest of last season’s crop to agree to remain, with young striker Charlee Hughes also staying at the club as they gear up for a return to pre-season training this week.

But Small said keeping hold of Thomas was never truly in doubt.

“There was never any doubt he was going to stay,” said Small. “James was excellent for us last year and I am pleased he will be back with us next year as well.

“Adam Vyse is leaving, but he was always likely to return to Tilbury as part of the deal which saw him come to us and Pinto is going travelling so he will be having a break from football.

“But the recruitment process is still ongoing and we are confident we will be able to land the targets we want in the coming weeks.

“We are returning to pre-season now and we are all excited to get going once again.”