WINGER Luke Forward has departed Buckland Athletic this summer, moving on to play step four football for Bideford AFC.

Forward was named on the club’s retained list but there is always room for change at this level with pre-season on the horizon.

He was a popular figure around Homers Heath and was also a mainstay on the field during Matt Cusack’s first season in charge.

On this departure, Cusack said: “You can never stop players wanting to play higher, all we can do is thank him in regards to what he has given to Buckland.

“We’ll take it as a compliment, he’s the second player to go and ply his trade at a higher level, ultimately you can’t stand in someone’s way and we wish him all the best.”

As alluded to there, Forward follows in the footsteps of experienced defender Myles James, who signed for Willand Rovers at the end of May.

Buckland have confirmed though that Luke will remain registered with them and so we may see him play in yellow again.

This week it’s been a case of one in and one out for the club as Danny Frankum becomes the latest addition to Cusack’s squad.

Frankum was one of eight Brixham AFC players to be let go from Wall Park, a list that includes Charlie Stevens and Saul Vanes who have joined Bovey Tracey AFC and Newton Abbot Spurs respectively.

Cusack commented that, “We’ve been looking at Danny for a little while actually, as far back as last season, just monitoring his progress and we felt like the time was right to make a move.”

The fullback made 13 league appearances for the Fishermen last term (as per the league website), 10 as a starter and three from the bench.

He was dual-registered with SW Peninsula League side Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police and actually played more for them, appearing 23 times for the Bees under manager Sam Biscoe.

He “seems like a really good lad” in Cusack’s word and he added: “I look forward to working with him.”

The Bucks boss continued, “We’re delighted that he’s chosen Buckland as his destination. I think there was interest in him from various other clubs in the bay area so it’s great to get him over the line.”

Frankum is new arrival number four, following in the footsteps of Toby Pullman, Mike Searle and Baga Mariko.

JOSH Searle and Andrew Sowden-Bird have become the latest players to join Bovey Tracey AFC ahead of their first ever season in the Jewson Western League.

Searle, just like Rudi McKinnon, was announced as a signing for Ben Gerring’s side back towards the turn of the year.

He appeared six times (as per the league’s website) but this time around, the move is on a more permanent basis.

Speaking to the club’s social media channels, Gerring had this to say on his newest addition.

“Delighted to welcome Searley permanently to Bovey. He obviously helped us out last season, which then turned into a four-week loan from Willand and he’s seen enough to want to join us here full time.

“He needs no introduction, a fantastic fullback capable of playing both sides and will give us great experience next season. A fantastic addition to an already strong group.”

Sowden-Bird also brings the necessary experience to the table having played for Bovey’s rivals Buckland Athletic last term.

Bucks manager Matt Cusack confirmed that the goalkeeper’s departure was due to his work changes and their impact on his ability to train but for Gerring, “After some discussions, we found a way to suit both parties.”

Sowden-Bird also offered his perspective on why this was the right move for him: “When Ben rang me, he told me exactly where he wanted the club to be next season and I haven’t had that yet with anyone else.”

Beyond the new arrivals, Gerring and Bovey have tied a few key players down for the campaign.

Following the retirement of right-back Cliff Walters, Lewis Perring on the other flank takes over the mantle as the clubman and will be flying down the left for at least another year.

As a result of his relationship with the club, “It was an easy decision to stay and be part of this exciting chapter,” wrote Perring.

At the other end of the field, strike duo Ollie Aplin and Stuart Bowker are both here to stay.

Bowker admitted: “I did think last year was probably going to be my last year but with how well we did, part of me still thinks I’ve got quite a bit to give.”

On his standout memory of a very successful 2025/26 campaign, he said: “The hat-trick in the cup final with my newborn special there, that was pretty special.”

And then looking ahead to Bovey’s first stab at step five football, “I don’t see any reason why we can’t go on and be strong again. There’s no reason why we can’t go for the playoffs, you just never know what’s going to happen in football.”

Aplin meanwhile commented: “I can’t wait to get started and look forward to scoring more goals for Bovey.”

Last but by no means least is young centre-half Harvey Coggins. He, like the majority of the squad, looked to be playing below his level in the SW Peninsula League truth be told.

Coggins is “going to give everything for the badge again” with Gerring adding: “I think we can get more from him, providing he comes back hungry and ready to learn.”

Gerring also cited that Owen Stockton and David Rowe have and will continue to aid him in his progression but the manager will of course help massively too, having himself played for the likes of Torquay United and Truro City.

Searle and Sowden-Bird are signings four and five after Jadore Lawson, Rudi McKinnon and Charlie Stevens.

NEWTON Abbot Spurs’ managerial duo Matt Hayden and Sam Biscoe are continuing to build their squad ahead of the new season and it’s now a family affair at The Rec.

Both Sam and Will Hancox have played many a time for the club and their return to the fray is a sign of what’s to come for this team in the SW Peninsula League.

The two featured under Hayden and Biscoe for Stoke Gabriel & Torbay Police last season, as is becoming a running theme with Spurs’ transfer dealings.

That being said, whilst Sam made 20 appearances for the Bees (as per the league’s website), Will played just once and instead was primarily plying his trade at step four with Brixham AFC.

He led the Fishermen in games played (39) as they were relegated from the Southern League, working with Hayden following his departure from Stoke Gabriel.

Will “brings a wealth of experience” and Sam’s “desire will play a massive factor” for Spurs in the words of Hayden as they look to secure the solitary promotion spot up to the Western League.

Prior to this week, they had already tempted a trio of players to follow them over from Stoke Gabriel and that number has gone up and up.

Previously poaching Jordan Thomas, Jesse Howe and Tom Burt from the Bees, Saul Vanes and Rob Heaps have since made the switch too.

Vanes actually played for two clubs last year- he was signed on with Brixham in the Southern League alongside his commitments to Stoke and he’s one of eight players to be released from the former.

The majority of Vanes’ appearances in 2025/26 did come in a Stoke shirt though, he played five times for Brixham and 29 under Biscoe at Broadley Lane.

In those 29 outings, the forward was very prolific with 15 league goals (17 in all competitions) and led the team alongside Ben Aldous (16).

Finding goals is going to be crucial for Spurs following the departure of Buckland Athletic-bound Toby Pullman.

Pullman was Spurs’ top scorer by some distance last term and if it weren’t for a late surge from Levi Landricombe (Bovey Tracey AFC), he would have grasped the Premier East golden boot too.

Burt’s presence on the wing along with Vanes’ arrival in the final third is certainly a step in the right direction, not to mention the return to the fold of Tate Breslan-Aggrey in the late stages of 25/26.

Onto Heaps and writing on social media, Biscoe said: “This player is unreal! Been with him for four years [and he] will run through a brick wall, head everything and will stick with you through everything!”

This sentiment was shared by Spurs’ announcement post as they said he “plays like it’s his last game of football” so it will be fascinating to see what he does in blue going forward.

It isn’t just the incomings worthy of a headline at the moment though with Ivybridge Town luring goalkeeper Kane Gregory back to Erme Valley.

He was a commanding presence in between the sticks during his solitary campaign for Spurs and he now takes that experience back to step five.

Spurs’ new signing counter is now up to eight.