CRAIG Edwards says re-uniting “the three amigos” at Billericay Town ahead of the new season is a significant coup for the club.

Former midfield duo Junior Luke and Sean Bonnett-Johnson have returned to New Lodge in the past week, linking up with Evans Kouassi who returned in the closing weeks of last term.

The three, now aged 26, played at Billericay in their early twenties but left the club to pursue other ventures – with Luke signing from AFC Hornchurch and Bonnett-Johnson from Kingstonian.

However, they have now returned and Edwards says the three who left as boys have now returned as men.

“Junior, Sean and Evans were the three amigos when they were here before and they haven’t fulfilled their potential as they have bucket loads,” he said. “They are men now and I think they can show what they are capable of and that they are great footballers.

“Junior is a great addition, and he was very impressive for Hornchurch against Thurrock in the play-offs last year. He is a good player and I wanted him back. “He murdered us last pre-season and we have a lot of faith in him.

“He has quality in all areas. We won the Essex Senior Cup and Ryman Premier League when he was here and he has had a big impact in both.

“I’m very pleased to have all three back, they were boys and now they are men and all offer a lot.

“There is one area we need one/two but we are happy with the players available.”

Another familiar face returning to the club is striker Ricky Sappleton, who left a year ago to join Kingstonian but ended the season at relegated VCD Athletic.

And Edwards says he is pleased to have that rare commodity, a natural goal scorer, back in his ranks.

“Sapps is a prolific goal scorer but he was always missing through injury for us when he was here,” he said “We want to change that. But on form he is unstoppable. We need a vocal front man and they are important to the way we play.”

Billericay are currently locked in negotiations with National League South side Margate after the debacle involve former striker Mike Fondop.

The youngster left the club last season to link up with Margate, although the Kent side believed it would be a free transfer when in fact the forward was contracted to Billericay.

Margate have since decided not to sign Fondop but Billericay have been told by the Football Association they are entitled to compensation, with the two clubs told they must agree a fee by the end of next week.

Should that not happen, a League Appeals Committee was pass a ruling on the matter.