Portland United’s resurgence under forward-thinking boss Stuart Heath has continued to gather pace this summer.

This time last year the Blues were faced with the prospect of rebuilding their entire first-team squad after a flurry of players crossed Portland Beach Road and set up camp at Dorset Premier League rivals Chickerell United following two title-winning campaigns on the island.

Many managers would have shied away from such a task but Heath has since thrived on the pressure with his policy of youth development producing several players with huge potential for the future.

After finishing eighth last term with a young and largely inexperienced side, Heath has now added an extra sprinkling of experience to the mix this summer by persuading the likes of ex-Bridport man Tom Coggins and former Chickerell United duo Adam Linaker and Nick Etherington to join the party.

Such additions and a seemingly endless line of quality youngsters progressing through the ranks has clearly heightened expectations at Grove Corner but can the Blues deliver on their promise?

With level-headed Heath at the helm anything looks possible and a top four finish has to be the minimum objective. But in typically methodical fashion, the United boss is not into the game of making predictions and instead would rather focus on just taking each step at a time.

He said: “On the playing side, we began a rebuilding process throughout the whole club with the main focus being on working with young local players who possess the potential to develop and improve in the future.

“When you start a process like that it will inevitably bring inconsistency to performances and results, which it did. However, we kept working hard through the negative periods with a firm belief that we were doing the right thing and over the course of the season we witnessed the likes of Alex Godfrey, Joe Charles and Ashley Smith progress fantastically well.

“Perhaps the best indication of how well the young players developed came when Mitch Conning and Dan Austin signed youth forms for Yeovil Town after successful trials earlier this summer.

“While we are disappointed we may lose them for large parts of this season everyone in the club is delighted that their hard work has been rewarded with a chance at a professional club.

“We would like to think we played a good part in that by providing opportunities for these young players to play regularly and improve at a good standard in their first steps in senior football.

“When planning for the future at a club, you have to look four or five seasons ahead, as well as the here and now. And we will continue to put the emphasis on youth and potential both in the first team and the reserves who last season won the Dorset Reserve League with an average age of 18.”

Heath went to add: “This summer we have also added the extra quality and experience to the squad that was largely missing throughout last season with the addition of players such as Wayne Gifford, Tom Coggins, Jamie Sibley, Liam Beads, Adam Linaker and Nick Etherington.

“Those acquisitions, the good support we get from our loyal fans and the knowledge that everyone is continuing to run the club in the right way means everyone at the club can look forward to the new campaign with confidence.”