TAUNTON Town manager Leigh Robinson said he is “delighted” to have landed the club’s transfer targets well ahead of pre-season.

Five new players have joined the Peacocks, four from Truro City, as Robinson shapes his squad ahead of a promotion push in the 2017/18 campaign.

Ben Adelsbury, Les Afful, Ryan Brett and Arran Pugh have all signed for Taunton having been released by the White Tigers, while Chris McGrath rejoins the Peacocks from Bideford.

McGrath is a like-for-like replacement for the departing Ed Palmer, while fellow centre-back Alex Hoyle also leaves the club.

Robinson said: “Alex had a good year for us but he’s travelling from Stroud, and we decided we could make more effective use of the money for travel expenses elsewhere.”

On the new arrivals, Robinson said: “Ben [Adelsbury] gives us more central midfield cover, and is also comfortable at centre-back.”

Another utility man comes in the form of Ryan Brett, also 26, who spent time at Plymouth Argyle and Salisbury before Truro.

“He can play in a number of positions [wing-back and midfield], he’s tall, has a good left foot and has good pedigree having played in the Conference with Salisbury,” added Robinson.

Further forward, 33-year-old Les Afful brings some extra guile and trickery.

He had been at Truro since 2009, having previously played for Exeter City (facing Manchester United at Old Trafford in the FA Cup in 2005), Torquay United and Forest Green Rovers.

Taunton’s boss said: “We decided we needed more players in the final third who could beat people – Les is diminutive and slippery.”

Completing the ex-Truro quartet is the White Tigers’ former skipper, centre-back Arran Pugh.

On the 27-year-old, Robinson said: “He’s an outstanding Non-League player, fantastic in the air and a great leader.

“In his career he’s done what we at Taunton want to do.”

Finally, a familiar face returns to the Viridor Stadium – Chris McGrath (son of ex-Manchester United and Aston Villa star Paul) played for the Peacocks in 2011/12 before spells at Bridgwater Town, Tiverton Town, Frome Town and Bideford.

The 32-year-old helped Bideford achieve the seventh best defensive record in Evo-Stik Southern League Division 1 South & West last season, and he was outstanding in their 0-0 draw in Taunton – which, Robinson says, accelerated the Peacocks’ approach for him.

“Chris brings a lot of experience and is a direct replacement for Ed Palmer.

“He’s local, is well known to a lot of us and is a good fit for the dressing room.”

The boss is hopeful that the rest of last season’s squad will remain at the Viridor Stadium, with new deals to be announced in the near future.

Matt Wright and Shane White are both staying, as captain and vice-captain, respectively, and goalkeeper Lloyd Irish will also be in Taunton next season.

“Lloyd is not only a fantastic goalkeeper, he’s a hell of a character to have around,” said Robinson.

“He hasn’t missed a game in two years, he swept the board at our presentation night, and so we’re delighted to keep him.”

With continuity the key, Robinson said he did not expect to add any more new players to the five already announced.

“We’re delighted to get the people we wanted,” he added.

“Now we can start working with the squad in July, and hopefully hit the ground running [next season].”