The new Hampshire Premier League Senior Division season promises to be ‘a hell of a campaign’

That’s the verdict of Fleetlands manager Rich Bessey ahead of the start of the 2020/21 Hampshire Premier League season this week.

The Coptermen are one of a handful of ambitious clubs that will be targeting the one promotion place on offer to the second tier of the Wessex League.

The highest-placed team with Wessex standard facilities will become the first HPL side to win promotion since Baffins Milton and Hamble Club went up at the end of 2015/16.

Along with Infinity, Bush Hill and Stockbridge, Fleetlands had applied for promotion last season prior to the FA null and voiding the campaign.

All four clubs will be applying again no doubt, with Hayling United and Clanfield also eager to progress.

Hayling are working to bring their ground up to the required step 6 standard, while Clanfield have no such concerns as they start groundsharing at Hawks’ Westleigh Park in early October.

In addition, Paulsgrove - champions in 2017/18 and second in the table when the pandemic struck in mid-March - look stronger than last season.

‘’This is going to be a tough season,’ declared Bessey.

‘It does seem harsh that only one club will go up when there are four going up (from Wessex 1) in the division above us.

‘Two up and two down would be a lot fairer.

‘It will be gutting if we ended up finishing second or third and didn’t go up.

‘The reality is that if we want to win promotion, we’re going to have to win the league.

‘That puts extra pressure on us, but there can be no excuses.

‘It’s going to be a hell of a campaign.’

Bessey added: ‘We’ve got floodlights now - the club’s been going since 1947 and this is the first time they’ve had lights.

‘It’s a massive thing for the club, but people will know we’re ambitious and see us as a scalp.

‘Bush Hill will always be up there, but Infinity will start favourites because of what they did last season. They’ve kept most of their squad.

‘Paulsgrove will be up there, they’ve brought Adam Walker back in goal and re-signed Danny Lane who is an aggressive centre forward.

‘Hayling are a good young, attacking side who fear nobody, and Clanfield have pulled off a big coup by moving to Havant’s ground - players are going to want to play for that club now.’

‘I also think Locks Heath will be a team to look out for. I don’t think they’ll win it, but they will take points off the top teams.’

Fleetlands were fourth when 2019/20 was dramatically halted and subsequently cancelled.

On their day, they were a match for anyone - inflicting the only defeat on Bush Hill in 20 league games and coming within minutes of being the only team to beat Infinity.

Against that, they lost at home to Winchester Castle, only took one point in two games against Hayling and failed to beat Overton.

They have also lost last season’s top scorer, 25-goal Matt Andrews.

Bessey, though, is not short of forwards as he prepares to start his second season at Lederle Lane.

Kelvin Robinson, who was Fareham Town reserves’ top scorer last term, has impressed in pre-season.

He recently scored twice as Fleetlands came from 0-2 down to beat Wessex outfit Romsey Town 4-2 in a friendly.

‘Kevin is very raw, but he’s got potential,’ said the boss. ‘He’s quick, very direct - he can come quite deep but I want him as the last man up top.’

Fleetlands also have Shane Flooks, Jamie Wrapson, Steve Duffin and Glyn Cooper competing for strike spots in next Wednesday’s HPL curtain-raiser at home to Locks Heath.

Brad White, who netted 41 goals for Mid-Solent Leaguers Wymering in 2019/20, is likely to start the season in Fleetlands’ reserve side, while ex-Fareham and Alton forward Danny Knee is currently injured.

Knee missed the whole of last season after suffering an ACL injury in the summer.

‘Brad has all the attributes to be a top striker,’ said Bessey. ‘He’s quick, he’s probably the quickest player in our squad.’

Flooks was sent off against Romsey - for retaliation after young midfielder Dylan North was grabbed by the neck by an opponent - but is available for the Locks Heath opener.

‘Shane always shows passion,’ said Bessey. ‘He was rightfully sent off, along with a Romsey player, but I didn’t mind seeing what he did, standing up for Dylan. We are a team and we have to stick together.’

Bessey added: ‘It’s been a really good pre-season.

‘We’ve learnt some lessons. We’ve played some tough games - Baffins, Hamble Club, Romsey and Pagham.’