veteran players through retirement next season.

But, with an abundance of young players waiting in the wings, skipper Arnold Manders, himself one of the side's oldest and longest-serving players, isn't about to press the panic button.

Among those who could call it a day next year are medium pace bowlers, brothers Gary and Allan Brangman as well as batsmen Treadwell Gibbons and Ricky Brangman.

And Manders, the man who engineered their success this season, may himself play a different role.

But with the addition of young talent and the return of established players such as Hasan Durham, who could take over from Manders as skipper after assisting this season, Cleon Scotland and Albert Steede, Stars' future still appears bright.

In fact, Manders expects the side to build on this year's success when the St.

John's Road club lifted the Knockout Cup, the Central Counties title and the Champion of Champions crown.

"Next season looks good,'' said Manders. "We actually have picked up a few young players already, players who came through our youth ranks, moved on to other clubs, and who have now decided to come back.

"If just Gary and Allan and a couple of others go, I think we can fill their spots with the youngsters.

"I was really happy to see our team end the season on a winning note and finish with three trophies. I have special joy for Gary and Allan and the other long-serving, dedicated players who may decide to retire.'' Following a seaon in which the team finished empty-handed, Manders said players worked hard to fight back.

"We always knew that we could do it, although sometimes you need a little luck. Last year the luck didn't go with us, we lost a few close ones and we lost our concentration and incentive at times. But with so many players going out this year I really wanted to make it our aim to succeed.

"Everybody worked hard on fitness, we didn't use the same team every week, we chopped and changed and played a few youngsters as often as possible and it worked out fine in the end.'' In the recent Champion of Champions triumph it was the veteran player-coach who inspired them to a 94-run victory over St. David's. It marked the first time they had won the Champion of Champions since 1989.

But Manders said his top knock of 72 was anything but a swan song.

"I don't know what next season holds for me. I think I will probably still be playing, but whether it's in the role as captain and coach, player-coach, I don't know. But I think it's time for somebody else to take over as team skipper.

"Personally, I think I could have done better with the bat this season. But we tried to play our younger players and have them bat early. If I had batted third or fourth throughout the season I'm sure I would have done better as far as scoring runs, but as long as we were winning I was happy.''