BRIDPORT are looking to strengthen in a variety of departments as pre-season begins for the Bees.

Chris Herbst’s men on Tuesday returned from their summer break, with around five new players set to be put through their paces in pre-season.

Crucially, Bridport have retained their players and avoided losses, paving the way for a strong season in the 2024/25 Walter C Parson Peninsula League.

Speaking to the Bridport News, Herbst said: “From my understanding, I should have everyone staying then I’ve got a few more players coming to pre-season and we’ll hopefully get them signed.

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“Everyone I spoke to is staying, so it’s good on that front to retain everyone.

“I should have four or five new faces coming to training along with a few last year that were involved with Beaminster, people like Noah and Isaac.

“So, pre-season should be a good one.”

Herbst did not divulge names of his potential new quintet, to avoid other clubs poaching them.

However, he did reveal the positions he hopes to strengthen in the Bees’ squad.

“I just want to hold fire,” he said.

“We’ll see how pre-season goes and if they enjoy it, then we’ll go from there.

“There are some wide players, potentially a forward, a centre-half and a midfielder.

“There are a few areas. We just need to get a bit more competition and it’s the consistency of having the same 13 or 14 players each week. That’s something we need to work on.

“We need to make it harder for people to get into the team.”

And Herbst is intent on improving upon last term, when the Bees finished fifth in the league and reached two cup semi-finals.

“Everyone I’ve spoken to wants to have a better season,” he said. “It’s a shame we didn’t get to a final but everyone’s on board.

“The club’s in such a brilliant position off the field and on it. We can certainly improve on it.

“It’s good that everyone’s buying into it and wants to be here.

“Some of the players I’ve spoken to didn’t need much persuading. It’s all right when the team’s doing well, people do take note.”

“We’ve obviously got the third team starting as well and the reserves will be stronger.”