They look ready to challenge for promotion from the Blue Square
Premier with an experienced defence, free-scoring midfield and prolific
forwards.
Hill declared: "This is probably the best group of 18 players which the club has had for a long t
ime.
"There are options all over the pitch. We will definitely score goals and, hopefully, we can keep a few clean sheets as well.
"We have certainly strengthened the squad this summer. I'd like to feel we will be very competitive.
"Over a period of time people must have realised there was a lot more going on behind the scenes than has ever come out publicly.
"Now you can see how much my hands were tied in the past with the financial restrictions that I had to work with.
"So I'm very pleased to have assembled the squad which I wanted with more quality. There's healthy competition here.
"We have four forwards who all offer something a little bit different depending on matches.
"Daryl Clare is very sharp, Lee Phillips is strong and mobile, Dean McDonald has an eye for goal and Michael Rankine has done very well over the summer.
"Our midfielders will also score a fair share of goals through the likes of Andy Burgess, Rob Wolleaston, Curtis Woodhouse and Jon Challinor."
Wolleaston is still waiting for his first appearance in a Diamonds shirt following his move from Cambridge United.
He had a hernia operation which leaves him doubtful for Saturday's NFA Maunsell Cup final against Peterborough United at Nene Park.
Burgess will again miss out with a sore hamstring suffered in the opening pre-season friendly at Halstead Town just 25 minutes after coming on as a second-half substitute.
But Hill is confident that last season's player of the year will be ready for the league campaign.
Right-back Curtis Osano did not feature during last week's training camp in Portugal due to a slight injury and Diamonds won't risk him until he is 100 per cent fit.
How do you think Diamonds will get on in the Blue Square Premier next season?
What do you think of the squad Garry Hill is putting together?
Email yourshout@northantsnews.co.uk or text ETSHOUT followed by your message to 81800.The full article contains 401 words and appears in n/a newspaper.
