MANAGER Mark Tallentire believes it is the ambition being shown by Bracknell Town FC that has attracted a whole host of quality players to Larges Lane, writes Dave Wright.

Goalkeeper Chris Grace, goal ace Joe Grant, defender Dave Hancock and midfielder Lee Boon have all signed from Hellenic League rivals Ascot United, while striker Ian Davies has moved from Thatcham Town and experienced midfielder Carl Withers from Binfield.

They join the strong squad that Tallentire assembled last year when he guided the Robins out of the relegation zone.

All of those players have re-signed apart from goalkeeper Garry Aulsberry, who was released and has since joined Binfield, and Declan Kirby, who has returned to university.

“I had to strengthen the squad as the club wants to progress,” Tallentire told the NewsNews.

“I am absolutely delighted with those I have signed. T; they are quality players and I am sure will be real assets to the club.”

He said he is not surprised that players want to move to come here, adding: “There is a lot of ambition at this club. We don’t want to stay in this league,; we want to get out of it and move up. We want to re-establish Bracknell as the dominant force in the area. Our ground is being done up and we will have a new pitch to play on. It will be fantastic every game we play at home.”

The Bracknell boss revealed there were two Ascot players in particular he wanted to sign. Both agreed terms and then he started to get calls from other United players.

Deals were done with them and another, Joe Yeates, could follow as well.

And Tallentire revealed his team strengthening may not be at an end.

He stated: “I have a competitive squad looking to push on this season and put a challenge in at the right end of the table.

“But if someone comes along who I think is better than what we have got, and would be a huge asset to us then I would be interested,” he added.

Several of the squad, including most of their recognised strikers, were not available for the friendly with Camberley which the Robins lost 3-2 after trailing 3-1 at the break.

“We were all at sea in the first half but once we got the players in at half-time we addressed a few things and we played really well in the second half and won it 1-0.”

Kensley Maloney and Boon were the Robins marksmen, with Joe Sowden, Nick Thumwood and Manny Quarshie on target for the Combined Counties League side.

Bracknell continue their pre-season friendlies by taking on Slough at Langley Academy tomorrow (Thursday) and then visiting Wantage on Saturday.

“I have made it quite a tough pre-season for us before the league and cups start early August,” commented Tallentire.

And the Robins will be facing two major obstacles in the opening weeks of the campaign.

First up will be an FA Cup extra preliminary round tie against last season’s Hellenic League runners-up Thatcham at Waterside Park on Saturday, August 6.

“It could not have been any tougher, but it’s tough for Thatcham as well,” said Tallentire.

“But that game is not at the forefront of my mind at the moment. We are in pre-season mode and getting the players prepared.”

The winners will be away to Egham in the preliminary round on August 20. The Surrey club finished third in Division One Central of the Southern League last season.

In the first qualifying round of the FA Vase on September 10 the Robins travel to Hellenic League Division One West side Hook Norton.

Tallentire was in charge of Burnham last season when they were knocked out of the FA Cup by the Oxfordshire side in a preliminary round tie that went to a replay and extra-time last season.

“They were a good young side and so I am hugely aware of their quality,” added Tallentire.

“We are under no illusions we have been dealt two tough draws in both competitions .”

If Robins beat Hook Norton they could be away in the second qualifying round to Binfield, providing the Moles beat Buckingham Athletic in their opening tie.

Tallentire will be facing another of his old clubs, Burnham, in the first round of the Bluefin Sports Hellenic League Cup.

Burnham, managed by former Reading Schools star and Football League player David Tuttle, were relegated from the Southern League South & West Division last season.