GARY Bailey’s Portland United squad continues to develop in terms of personnel as the Blues prepare to make the step up to Sydenhams Wessex Division One.

The island manager revealed that a whole host of his current squad have re-signed for the upcoming campaign, as well as announcing the fresh additions of striker Carl McClements and goalkeeper Sean Lillington.

The new duo will be added to the squad alongside former Weymouth midfielder Gareth Will and Chickerell defender Tom Peck, who also agreed to link up with the club earlier this month.

Speaking about the capture of ex-Balti and Terras’ hotshot McClements, manager Bailey told Echosport: “I have known Carl for a long time.

“In a spell I had with Weymouth Reserves in pre-season over a few weeks, before I got the Portland job, he really caught my eye there.

“To be honest, I tried to sign him then but he stayed at Weymouth and came on leaps and bounds as a player. He got a sniff of the first team but then things went a bit stale for him.

“He went to Balti but I challenged him in the summer to have a go at a higher level and it was something he was really enthusiastic about.”

On gloveman Lillington, whose recent clubs include Bournemouth Poppies and Wareham Rangers, the island boss added: “I spoke to Sean and he had a taste of it with Poppies. He enjoyed the football side of it and fancied another go. He is really excited to get going.

“He is a keeper that we have always admired when we have played against him.

“He has always been tough to beat and you need competition for places with goalkeepers.”

Meanwhile, current squad members Ross Carmichael, Ross Doidge, Alex Halloran, Ashley Smith, Ed Bastick, Shaun Bessant, Dan Austin and Adam Linaker have all re-signed for the Blues for next season, as well as skipper Lewis Whyton and Carl Mutch among others at Grove Corner.

“We had talks with a lot of them at the end of last season and a lot of it hinged on getting the promotion,” said Bailey when asked about retaining the core of his squad.

“Once we got the nod that we were going up I was confident they were going to stay and that’s proved to be the case.

“I have a squad of around 20 players now and that’s kind of where I want to be.

“We have invited two or three others for pre-season. They have agreed to come in and we will cast an eye over them, and obviously there is an open invite to anyone else that wants to come.”

The Blues’ chief also revealed that striker Charlie May is likely to join up with newly-named Balti Sports and defender Charlie Holland is preparing for university.

Portland United’s first-team and reserve squads return to pre-season training at Grove Corner on Tuesday, June 30 (6.15pm).

Any new players are welcome and reminded to bring suitable running trainers and boots to all sessions.