SEVEN of Taunton Town’s title-winning squad have signed club contracts, committing them to the Peacocks for next season’s Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division campaign.

Ben Adelsbury, Ryan Brett, Ollie Chamberlain, Lloyd Irish, Dan Sullivan, Shane White and Matt Wright have all put pen to paper, with Wright continuing as club captain for 2018/19.

A further five players – Keith Emmerson, Nuno Felix, Pierce Mitchell, Josh Nelmes and Craig Veal – have agreed to remain at the Viridor Stadium for next year, on a non-contract basis.

Manager Leigh Robinson told the County Gazette: “Those on a contract are committed to the club.

“The other five have agreed non-contract terms, the same as this season, where we only had Lloyd Irish and Ollie Chamberlain on contract.

“The likes of Craig Veal and Josh Nelmes [who joined mid-season] have the chance to earn a contract, given more time to show what they can do.”

Robinson added that the process of agreeing deals with the players had been quite straightforward.

“As a manager, this time of year can be quite tricky, as you have to sell the club to the players, as they’re all free agents every summer,” he said.

“But there wasn’t too much selling this time, as the players are keen to stay; they’re enjoying their football and the club has momentum.

“When promotion looked a mathematical certainty in March we began planning for  next season’s squad.

“Talking with the players was a quick process, as they’re keen to stay.

“We’ve done the number crunching – there’s some extra travel next year – but we look in good shape.”

Chairman Kevin Sturmey said that he had taken a back seat during the process, with Robinson negotiating with the players and finance director Alan Slade confirming what the club could afford.

Sturmey believes the budget will be fairly similar to this season, but added: “We are always planning for the next level, and we have to be prepared to play at an even higher level.

“So we need to keep building the fanbase, home and away, Saturday and Tuesday, to bring in more money.

“We’ve achieved our first goal of promotion, but we don’t want to stop there.”

In terms of making next season a success, Robinson added: “We only need a couple more to come in, to strengthen our squad in a more demanding league.

“In central midfield we rely on the dynamism of Ollie Chamberlain and Matt Buse, but they can’t do that on Tuesday and Saturday throughout the season next year, so we need to spread the workload.

“We’re already looking at a couple of players, but we’re in no rush.”

Continuity comes in the shape of skipper Wright, about whom Robinson said: “Usually I change the captaincy to keep things fresh, but this has been a year like no other.

“He’s done a fantastic job, and it’s got an extra five per cent out him; he was desperate to stay captain, so it works well for everyone.”