BUCKLAND Athletic have re-entered the transfer market to bolster their backline with two astute signings.

The team have “lacked a little bit of experience in recent games” according to manager Matt Cusack and so he has made new additions, although both players have previous at Homers Heath.

Starting with the hugely popular Myles James who only departed The VX3 Stadium at the end of May, making the jump up to step four with Willand Rovers.

James didn’t feature in the matchday squad for Rovers’ first league or first cup game of the new campaign, instead turning out for former side Teignmouth AFC, and so he has made a swift return to Buckland.

Cusack told the Mid-Devon Advertiser that he is “delighted” about the re-capture of the talented centre-half.

He continued: “Myles will bring [that experience] as well as quality so I’m looking forward to getting him back in. It’s a timely signing for us.”

The left-footed defender formed a really strong partnership at the back with Scott Pocock last season so to be without both of them this year would have been a real blow.

Racking up 42 appearances (as per the Western League website), James was used more than any other player in 2025/26.

Buckland defender Myles James going shoulder to shoulder vs Newquay AFC
Buckland defender Myles James going shoulder to shoulder vs Newquay AFC (Jamie Rooke)

Also joining the defensive cohort and returning to Buckland Athletic is Jordan Pearce.

He wore the Bucks’ yellow shirt during the 2022/23 campaign before going on to play for the likes of Bovey Tracey AFC and Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police, as well as having a background with Plymouth Argyle and in Swedish football.

Pearce was a real leader under Sam Biscoe for Stoke last year, making 16 appearances on their way to a sixth-placed finish in the SW Peninsula League Premier East.

Alongside him in the Bees’ backline was Danny Frankum, who has impressed for Buckland since arriving in the summer. Their familiarity with each other can only help Cusack and co.

His new manager labelled him as “another experienced campaigner”, adding that “Jordan brings that little bit of a difference, that grit and determination that you want to see from defenders, he’ll bring that in abundance.

“We certainly won’t be rolling over with the likes of Jordan in the team.”

Granted they were taking on a step four side but that was exactly the case on the weekend when Buckland were bounced out of the FA Cup by Barnstaple Town, shipping six goals on home soil, three of which came after Barum were reduced to 10 men.

Pearce goes straight into the mix ahead of Saturday’s visit to Newquay in the Western League whilst James enters the fray at the end of the month.