but second-year coach Larry (Muscles) Hunt is hoping that by performing more consistently at a high level they will be more successful this season.

The 1991-92 season was not a disappointment for the west-enders as they did win the Martonmere Cup and finished as high as fourth in the First Division, however, coach Hunt feels they could have done better.

"I think we were partly successful last season, we could have done much better with the talent that we had. In all honestly, I don't think it was a good season by our club's standards,'' he said.

Admittedly the team was hurt from the beginning when the anchor of their defence, long-time stalwart and centre-back Dennis Brown, was sidelined with a hamstring injury. It was an injury, which he was unable to shake and consequently he was only able to play four games for the entire season.

However with Hunt forced to alter his defence by turning to Trevor Dickinson as a back-up, Somerset were able to remain competitive. Duane DeRoza and Dickinson performed better than anyone could have expected after having played only a few times together.

Hunt though is not looking for excuses for the so-so season. Even with the forced changes he felt that the Trojans should have remained more formidable against their opponents than they were.

"We should have won the Dudley Eve, and then we got knocked out of the FA Cup and Friendship Trophy in the first round,'' he recalled. They lost to Boulevard on a 3-2 aggregate in the two-leg Dudley Eve Trophy final and went down to defeat against Hotels in the FA Cup and North Village in the Friendship Trophy in the opening rounds.

"One thing we have to improve on this season is consistency, we can't be winning three games and then following it up with a three-game losing streak.

That's what happened to us a lot of times last season,'' said Hunt.

"Consistency is the key to success and with the talent we have there is no reason why we should not have a better season this time around.'' Gone via the transfer system are young defender Karl Roberts, defender Michael Bremar and midfielder Robert Goodchild, but they have been able to compensate for the losses by picking up players like forwards Duval Binns and Paul Place from Somerset Eagles, forward Curtis Grant from Dandy Town and having brothers Kelly, Randy and Larry Simmons return to their ranks after missing a few seasons.

"I really feel that our overall squad is stronger, we have been able to compensate for what talent we did lose through transfers,'' said Hunt.

The expected return of Brown will be a big plus in Hunt's opinion as it would add depth to a defence, which is already steady with capable players like right-back Brian Simons, George Cann, George Bremar, and veteran Larry Simmons along with Dickinson and DeRoza.

The goalkeeping situation looks solid with four in the running, Keenan Tucker, Cordell Gilbert, Winslow Williams and Antoine Swan. All are currently being coached by former Trojans 'keeper Lew Simmons.

Midfield looks sound with Reggie Tucker, Anthony Burchall, Kelly and Randy Simmons and young Richard Scott who has just returned from school abroad.

Binns may also be among those challenging for a position here.

Billy Kirkpatrick could lead the attack again as the main striker with Rodney Bascome on the right flank and Jerry Webb on the left. Other forwards who could see action in the team are Stevie Burrows and Derek Robinson who were junior players last season, Curtis Grant and Amal Thomas.

1991-92 accomplishments: League -- Fourth; Martonmere Cup -- beat North Village 1-0 in final; Dudley Eve Trophy -- lost to Boulevard 3-2 in two-leg final.

Notable player transfers: In -- Curtis Grant, Duval Binns Out -- Karl Roberts, Robert Goodchild, Franklyn Simmons.

LARRY HUNT -- Looking for a piece of the past.