THE new football season kicks off in earnest on Saturday, but for Porthleven manager Gary Marks, last season never ended.

When he took on the job last season Marks was still working out of the county and it proved a difficult campaign for both the manager and club.

This season he has returned to base, but the job hasn't proved any easier.

"It's been a bit of a nightmare trying to sign players," said Marks. "Having finished bottom of the table, players are wary of signing because they want to see who else signs.

"I've not had a day off all summer, it has been so hectic, but I think we are getting there, it's looking OK.

"We are looking much stronger than last season and there are also a couple of players who I am still chasing who I would like to sign. So, yes, the signs are good and with most of last season's squad of players available such as Scott Clark, Dave Phillips, Dean Bray and Robbie Robinson, I think we are in much better shape."

Marks is very mindful of the way the club is being restructured under chairman Neil Clark and is working hard to achieve those aims.

"I've got a fantastic chairman to work with and we are well aware what goes on in the South Western League regards players and money, but we have a three to four year programme which is geared to eventually fielding a side of mainly local players.

"The club wants to regain its stability and having had several good seasons with the club as a player, that is what I intend to do.

"I have the full backing of the chairman and he has my full support and I think we are already making good progress."

Whilst that programme evolves, Marks will have to cast his net a little wider for players and this season he has added some experienced campaigners.

Central defender Jamie Burr has joined from Penzance and left-sided player Steve Forbes has returned home to live in Marazion and has put pen to paper for the Fishermen.

Phil Black, who has been with Aston Villa, has signed along with former Helston, Falmouth Town and RNAS Culdrose player Eddie Dunn.

Foxhole's Sam McEwen and Dave Walker, who was previously with Marks at Penzance, has also rejoined his former boss, and Newquay's Leon Holland is also a new face.

"Of course, like other clubs who will be on the lookout, once the season gets under way some players will be come available and hopefully we can add one or two of them to the squad," added Marks.

Ashley Tallon, the county youth coach, will be Marks's number two, but the Gala Parc club has also had the benefit of coaching and training from goalkeeper Sid Taylor.

If the footballing overlords wanted to put the new-look Fishermen's side to the test, they couldn't have come up with a more daunting league and cup programme with which to start the season.

Champions St Blazey will be at Gala Parc in all their pomp and circumstance to kick off the Carlsberg SWL season, so you couldn't be offered a tougher assignment than that.

They follow that with a midweek trip to St Austell and then on the following Saturday visit Hallen in the extra qualifying round of the FA Cup.

In the FA Vase they meet the winners of Exmouth Town or St Blazey and should that hurdle be negotiated, they face Swindon Supermarine.

"I'm really looking forward to the season getting underway," said Marks. "The cup competitions are going to prove a real test for us, but my main concern is the league and where we finish.

"With the present squad I think we will finish in mid-table, but when the changes in the leagues take place we want to be sure that we are in there, so our aim is to finish high enough to ensure that we are."