FORMER Bristol City and Swindon Town midfielder Matt Hewlett is a target for Yate Town.

Boss Dave Mogg said things are ‘looking very promising’ in terms of bringing players in and he hopes to have Hewlett for pre-season ahead of a campaign in BGB Division One South and West.

Bristol-born Hewlett, 33, started 175 games for Swindon as well as making over 100 appearances for Bristol City where he started his career, but he hasn’t played since the 2005-06 season when he was at then League Two club Torquay United.

Mogg says he has verbal agreements with several players about joining and is hopeful many of them will sign on for next season.

However, Mogg says if things don’t come to fruition he has every confidence in the youngsters at the club to take their opportunity as the likes of Charlie Lacey did late on last campaign.

Yate have missed out on former Sheffield Wednesday and Torquay goalkeeper Stuart Jones but Lee Matthews looks set to remain at the club after an impressive end to the season between the sticks.

Mike Whittington looks set to move on after Mogg told him he can go elsewhere, with about three new strikers on his summer shopping list.

Elsewhere, Dean Griffiths has completed his switch to Tiverton Town after leaving Yate.

He scored 17 to top Yate’s goal charts in their relegation campaign and didn’t want to drop a level.

Tiverton boss Martyn Rogers said: “He’s very quick, hard-working and he will be a good signing for us.”

* Yate’s relegation from the BGB Premier Division will not be reprieved unless circumstances change between now and the start of the season.

The Football Association announced the compilation of Step One to Four Leagues last week, though the lists remain provisional as there are still one or two outstanding issues to be settled.

Banbury United, who also finished in the bottom four in the Premier Division last season, just two places above Yate, were reprieved.

The complete fixture list for next season will be published on Tuesday, July 14.

Yate have confirmed pre-season friendlies against Brislington (away) on July 21, Hengrove (a) on July 25, Shortwood (a) on July 28 and Bath City (home) on August 4.

*Scott Brice won the Players’ Player and the Supporters Player of the Season awards at the club’s Presentation Night.

The club captain impressed throughout the season despite Yate having the worst defensive record in the division with 91 goals conceded.

Brice is expected to leave Yate this summer, though the Lodge Road outfit would receive a fee as he is only 22-years-old.