Dennis Brown, the Somerset Trojans technical director, has welcomed an influx of players that have opted for greener pastures at the West End club next season.

But he has warned his charges that the hard work has only begun as the club look to build on last season’s Friendship Trophy success.

Trojans were bolstered by the addition of nine players during the summer transfer window, among them the trio of Malachi Jones, Coefield Robinson and Jensen Rogers who have all rejoined from PHC Zebras.

“The players that have come in are welcomed but it’s about putting in the work required to have Somerset Trojans challenging like they did last year,” said Brown, who rejoined the club he led to multiple championships during his playing days earlier this summer after a successful coaching stint at Devonshire Cougars.

“We are basically trying to get the programme back to where it needs to be and it takes more than talent.

“It’s also going to take hard work from the players that are currently there and the players that are coming in.

“It’s encouraging to know players want to come in because one thing about playing in the Premier Division is that you have to have a big squad. You need depth because of injuries and loss of form and the like.”

Also rejoining Trojans are Southampton Rangers striker Dion Stovell, winger Tahj Wade from Ireland Island Rangers and midfielder Zahkie Iris from Cougars, while others who have switched their allegiances to the club are defenders Drake and Marcus Simmons and goalkeeper Karl Brown, joining from Somerset Eagles.

Trojans equalled PHC’s record of ten Friendship Trophy titles last season courtesy of a 4-1 thrashing of Hamilton Parish in the final.

Incidentally, Parish have benefited the most during the summer transfer window with ten players joining the club.

Rejoining Parish is midfielder Chris Caisey from Cougars, Casey Castle from PHC, Ryan Tyrrell, Keo Darrell and Calin Maybury from Dandy Town, while Andrew Samuels, Reid Trott and Menelik Rudo have joined from Young Men’s Social Club.

Despite losing the services of Stovell, Rangers have picked up eight players while Premier Division newcomers Robin Hood have added six.

Town have picked up two promising captures in former player Cymandie Davies, who has rejoined from St George’s Colts, and Kor-Von Tucker who has signed from Cougars. Hardest hit during the transfer period were Zebras who lost a total of 11 players while remarkably North Village did not lose a single player.

Boulevard acquired the most new signings among the First Division clubs with nine players followed by Bermuda Athletic Association with eight and X-Roads Warriors with six.

Suffering the heaviest loss among clubs in the First Division were Wolves who lost 12 players, among them Vince Minors and Markez Laws who have both joined Flanagan Onions.

A total of 46 players opted for transfers in the Premier Division and 44 in the First.

The season kicks off with the Charity Cup match between Premier Divsion and FA Cup champions Town and Trojans, the Friendship Trophy holders, at Goose Gosling Field on August 31.

Transfer list, page 18