SANDFORD were a distant fourth in the A Division last season and are looking to improve this season.

The summer starts with a home game against Budleigh Salterton, who were the third-placed team in 2015.

To finish any higher this season means beating sides like Budleigh so a winning start is essential.

Having been promoted twice in recent seasons – 2011 and 2013 – and dropped straight back each time – it’s worth asking if promotion is a good thing.

New captain Ryan Glass, he has taken over from Jamie Palmer, is unequivocal on the promotion question.,

“Everyone want to play at the best standard they can and we will be pushing for it,” said Glass.

This season’s overseas player at Creedy Park is Sydneysider Matt Hopkins, a batting all-rounder who bowls some medium pace too.

Shane Evenden, who first played for Sandford back in 2006, has returned to the fold for a third spell having spent the last two seasons turning out occasionally for Cullompton.

Evenden was highly rated as a teenager and Glass will be hoping he has got his appetite back for the game.

Peter Steer and Matt Theedom are set to reappear having missed most of 2015.

Veteran Adrian Small, a Devon player in his heyday with Exmouth, is also committed for another season.

Small has made more than 9,000 runs in the top two divisions of the Devon League and that’s the sort of batting experience any side would be glad of.

Glass’s tip as a player to watch out for in 2015 in Tom Williams, a young slow left-armer who has featured in Devon youth sides since the age of 10.