LYDNEY Town manager Mark Lee has given a brutally honest admission that the quality of coaching at Swan Road was not good enough last season.

But Lee says the appointment of former Cinderford Town manager John Brough on the club’s coaching staff is already bearing fruit and that Lydney have had a ’positive’ pre-season.

Lydney travel to Brackley Town Saints in their Premier Division opener on Saturday before a trip to county rivals Longlevens on Tuesday night.

“We’ve picked up a couple of wins, not that it’s important, but the performances have been better and hopefully we’ll carry that into the start of the season.

“We’ve signed Lewis Thompson, who used to play for Cinderford and Cheltenham Town’s youth, and a new goalkeeper in Ross Grimshaw who is on dual-registration from Yate Town.

“He’ll be making his debut on Saturday in Rich Thomas’ absence.

“There are still a couple of players we are talking to and we’ve retained everyone we wanted to, which is key.”

Lydney finished in a disappointing 16th position last term, just above the relegation places, but Lee believes Southern League Division One title winner Brough will help Town turn the corner.

“Last year the coaching was substandard,” Lee added.

“From a coaching point of view, he has organised us better and instilled a bit of confidence.

“When the results start going against you that always affects your confidence and you can’t overstate the effect of winning games.

“Admittedly, every team has injury problems but ours seemed worse than most with our centre-half pairing missing a lot.

“John brings a lot of experience in the Southern League and the players seem to be buying into it. They know that this is as good a coach as they are likely to get.

“It is a coup for us to get him in.”