CRAIG Edwards insists his Billericay squad is looking stronger than ever after adding three new faces over the weekend.

The Town manager has brought in defender Joe Ellul, 26, from Enfield Town, midfielder Frankie Curley, 31, from AFC Hornchurch and the versatile Guyana international Chris Bourne, 29, also from AFC Hornchurch, ahead of next season as he looks to build a squad capable of challenging for the Ryman Premier League.

And Edwards feels the additions are vital after the departures of three senior players in the past 10 days, with captain Richard Halle, Steve Sheehan and Glenn Poole all joining Canvey Island.

“All three of these players are important additions,” he said. “We struggled for power in the middle last season and Frank will bring that to the side. He is the sort of player that might get pigeon-holed because of his physicality but he is a very good footballer.

“Joe is someone I know well as a fellow Hackney lad. I wanted him before he joined Enfield last season but he made the move there which was a shame. He struggled to break into the team early on but when he did towards the end of the season they went on a great run – winning six, drawing one and conceding only eight goals in their last nine games.

“And Chris is a great addition as he is so versatile. He is accomplished anywhere on the left and is a good lad. He is extremely solid and he has played here before as well.”

Ellul has signed on contract, after the departures of defenders Halle, Sheehan and Ryan Scott towards the end of last season. And Edwards said Halle and Sheehan’s move to Canvey was more than amicable, praising “two great lads”.

“Canvey have got themselves two great lads,” he said. “They are top boys and they handled it the right way. I know them both well and have worked on and off with Richard since he was 16. I wasn’t going to stand in their way.”

Edwards says Town want to add two more players ahead of the new season, with the majority of the players verbally agreeing to stay for a further season.