Hampton full back Tom Jelley has revealed boss Alan Dowson is not thinking of surviving in National League South next term - he is in it to win it.
The Beavers added former Woking favourite Giuseppe Sole to their squad for the coming campaign at the weekend as Dowson beefs up his options for a title challenge.
Hampton return to pre-season training this weekend and Jelley thinks his old pal is a good addition to a squad going places.
“I played with Giuseppe in the youth team when we were at Cobham, but I haven’t seen him since I was 16 years old. He has a good reputation though,” he said.
“I think we’ll do well next year. We have signed some players with experience playing at a higher level and kept the majority of last season’s squad.
“I think Dowse wants to win it at the first attempt, which is good.
“You have to start a season with the aim of making the play-offs because if you don’t do that there is no point playing and Dowson is not the sort to accept mid-table.”
Jelley and ex-Beavers team-mate Moussa Diarra were named in the Ryman Premier League team of the year at the weekend.
And the defender admitted it came as a shock.
“I was surprised to get named in the team because I’ve only played at this level of football for a short while and didn’t think the managers who voted for it knew who I was," he added.
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