Hampton & Richmond Borough co-manager Paul Barry said he and Darren Powell took on the role after being assured there would be no further cuts to the player budget.

The duo took the reins on a permanent basis following an hour-long meeting with chairman Steve McPherson.

Now, with a full summer of preparation ahead of them, Barry is looking forward to launching a new campaign with a mixture of old and new names.

He said: “We will be keeping around 99 per cent of last season’s squad together and, together with four or five new names, we believe we can really push on.

“No one has left yet, although Tom Hickey is having trials at one or two league clubs so he may go.

“We cannot bring in anyone new until July 1. But Bill Jeffreys has re-signed for another year, which is great for us.”

Your Local Guardian: Billy Jeffreys

Signed on: Bill Jeffreys has put pen to paper at the Beveree     SP59596

But it was the budgetary assurances that convinced Barry and Powell to stay put.

Barry said: “There was much that Darren and I wanted to know was in place before we took the job. We wanted to know that the playing budget, although small, would not be cut during the season as it was last year.

“We also wanted assurances over the availability of training facilities and equipment. This we got.”

The Beavers’ pre-season schedule is already being orgaised and QPR will be among the visitors to the Beveree for a friendly encounter on July 12.