BOSS Ken Vaughan backed player-coach Fawzi Saadi to make his mark in management after handing him a more hands-on role at Bournemouth Poppies for the forthcoming season.

Vaughan revealed he would continue to help to recruit players while affording the long-serving Algerian the licence to take control of first-team affairs with guidance from the manager and assistant Michael Cuffie.

Yesterday evening, Poppies had only12 players showing as registered on the Sydenhams Wessex League's Full Time site but Vaughan said Lamin Dibba, Chris Speers and Dave Ewen had been among several players to sign forms ahead of tonight's Premier Division curtain raiser at home to Fawley (7.45).

On Saadi's step up, Vaughan told the Daily Echo: "He has been doing bits and bobs for a while and needs to take this step now.

"It is Fawzi's time to get more involved and have a go. Hopefully, it will be ideal because he will have me and Michael there to back him every step of the way.

"Management is what he wants to do in the long run and I think he has the attributes to make a success of it."

Bashley have bolstered their attack on the eve of the new season by signing one of the Wessex League's most prolific marksmen Kabba Jack.

The New Forest outfit kick off their first campaign back in the Wessex for 27 years with a home derby against Hamworthy United (7.45).

Jack, who netted a whopping 57 goals in 54 matches for New Milton Town in Division One before moving up to the Premier Division, could start alongside returning duo Lewis Aimson and striker Clive Makoni.

Across spells with Brockenhurst and Poppies, Jack plundered a further 21 goals from 27 starts and 10 substitute appearances.

Bash boss Tom Prodomo told the Daily Echo: "We are delighted to welcome Kabba to the club, he has a proven goalscoring record and has already settled into life at Bashley Road.

"It has been a really positive summer in terms of restructuring the club but we must make sure the hard work transforms into points.The whole club is excited for the start of the season and we look forward to welcoming Hamworthy."

Meanwhile, new Hammers manager Carl Poore has added Verwood Town duo Liam Donachy and Jordan Fisk as well as former Poppies full-back Pablo Martinez.

One player Poore will have to do without is Jack Satterley, a new capture for Lymington Town who kick off their Premier Division campaign at Moneyfields.

Brockenhurst's squad has a familiar look to it ahead of their first match at Graham Kemp's Bemerton, where ex-Poole Town assistant James Wood has been installed as assistant manager.

Kemp said: "Woodsy is far too good to be milling around Tesco on a Saturday afternoon so we have persuaded him to come over to help us."