GORNAL Athletic boss Ian Rowe has begun overhauling his squad by bringing in a host of players from Dudley Town.

Rowe left the Robins in May before joining the Peacocks and a number of players have followed him on the move from the Dell to the Garden Walk.

They include keeper James Pemberton, defender Chris Waterhouse, attacking midfielder Danny Ashton and striker Marvin Nisbett.

Lee Wherton, Robin Keates, Stuart Ward, Matthew Innes, Calum Martin, Craig Shaw and Bekhir Halil have also joined, with only four players from last season’s Gornal squad remaining at the club.

Rowe said: “It’s a big re-building job, quite a few of the lads from Dudley have come across though others have moved to a higher level.

“I think we are still a way off where we need to be and there are still a few players I’m looking to add.

“I’m not saying we will challenge for titles but hopefully we will be in a better position than last year.

“There’s a lot of good things going on at the club at the moment.”

Rowe guided Town to fifth position in the West Midlands Premier last term while Gornal were involved in a relegation scrap.

But Athletic have a new chairman in the shape of businessman Nick Sanders and the club have carried out work on the pitch and clubhouse at the Garden Walk.

Rowe added: “It’s exciting because it’s a new start though I’m also a little apprehensive because there is still a lot of work to be done.

“The club have been great so far, the pitch has been re-laid and should be in top shape by the start of the season.

“There are things being done around the clubhouse too which should make Gornal a nice place to come and watch football.”

Gornal kick off their pre-season programme this Saturday with a trip to Bridgnorth Town (3pm), though the game is being played at Coseley Town.

They then head to Walsall Wood next Tuesday (7.45pm).