busy in the transfer market.

But coach Garrett (Punchy) Dill and his assistant George O'Brien have no fears they can get the right blend from the new players joining them and those who won promotion with the team last season.

Both Dill and O'Brien will be playing this season, to lend their First Division experience to a team playing in the top flight for the first time.

"I've started weight training, swim almost every day and ride bicycle,'' said 36-year-old Dill who has been out of the First Division since leaving North Village a few years ago.

Some big names have been lured to the Second Division champions, most of whom were approached by Dill himself, including former Village team-mates Sherwin Hollis and Eugene (Pickles) Smith. The other signings include David Bascome, who will be with the club until November when he joins his US professional indoor team, Herbie Bascome, who has been assisting with the coaching at St.

George's, Earlwin (Bootsie) Wolffe, Maxwell Dill, Sean Smith of Dandy Town and Shea Pitcher who rejoined the team from Town.

Already the team has some injury problems with Wolffe hospitalised with a groin injury in the recent friendly match with North Village Rams, and both Pitcher and Garic Swainson both having slight knocks, though Pitcher should be available for this weekend's season opener with Hotels.

It is not known of Herbie Bascome's intentions though St. David's are hopeful of having him available while another signing, Richard Todd, is abroad in school and will miss most of the season.

"At St. David's our intentions are to stay competitive,'' said Dill who enters his third year as coach. "It's a new programme, which we set out two years ago to take us somewhere. I have a special thanks for the executive committee, people like Stuart Crockwell, Ross Roberts and Anthony Paynter.'' St. David's have entered an Alliance Division team to give youngsters like Aaron Lugo, Michael Tucker and Michael Kelly some experience. They are three of the youngsters Dill has high expectations for, along with wingers Kanhai Fray and Shane Weeks.

Some of the established players left in the team from last season include defender Cal Richardson, Reginald (Lucky) Pitcher, James Pace and Jerry Laws, who has been one of the more proven goal-scorers in the Second Division over the years.

"Jerry is going to be a revelation,'' his coach promised. Dill is working on linking Laws with David Bascome in attack.

The team's midfield will consist of the likes of the player/coach, Maxwell Dill, Del Hollis, last year's captain Eugene Crockwell and Sean Smith, with Cal Richardson, Eugene Smith, Bruce Andrews, Shea Pitcher, Herbie Bascome and Garic Swainson making up the defence.

Dale Fox, who played in outfield last season, will return to his goalkeeping duties, which he will share with O'Brien, at 39 the oldest member of the team.

"Hopefully we can get the right start to the season to get things going,'' said O'Brien. "At age 39, this will definitely be my last season and I want to go off on a good note. Our main objective is to survive, which any team getting promoted would be trying to do.'' St. David's share their home ground with former champions Boulevard and there will also be two other First Division teams at nearby Wellington Oval where St. George's and Hamilton Parish will play.

"I wish the best for all the eastern teams so that we can keep soccer alive in the east end,'' said O'Brien.

VETERAN LEADERSHIP -- Goalkeeper George O'Brien, pictured during last season's Shield final, is looking forward to his last season.