PAUL Shanley says the summer overhaul of his squad has made Bradford Town better equipped to compete in the Toolstation Premier Division.

Bradford finished a more than respectable eighth in their first season in the top flight but Shanley believes that would have been higher but for a poor end to the season.

The Town chief has strengthened substantially during pre-season and is aiming high in 2015-16 “We were a little bit disappointed with how we finished last season,” said Shanley, whose side start the season away at newly-promoted Barnstaple Town on Saturday.

“Of course everyone wants to win the league but we just want to improve on how we did last year.

“We ended up eighth and we should have been top four, in my opinion.

“It was a learning curve for us and we adapted well but now we know what we need to compete in the Premier Division and we have brought a few players in to freshen things up.”

Mark Robinson heads the list of new arrivals, having plundered 49 league goals over the last two seasons for Chippenham Park in the First Division.

Welton Rovers duo Rickie Scott and Mike Jones also arrive at Trowbridge Road, as do Aaron Wilson from Winterbourne, Shepton Mallet’s Tyson Pollard and Mike Rimmer from Bristol Manor Farm.

Leading the list of departures is former skipper Steve Hulbert, who has signed for Southern League side Frome Town.

“Mark is different to the other strikers we have at the moment,” said Shanley.

“Sammy (Jordan) and Twaine and Neikell Plummer are still here but Mark offers us a different option and we’re looking for him to get a few goals.

“Aaron has experience from the Southern League, which will be invaluable for us. We’re excited about all the new players and when you have new guys come in, it freshens things up and whets the appetite a bit more.

“I’ve got to give full credit to the players that have left. They won us the First Division title a few years ago.

“I’ve never had any issues with people going to a higher level. Steve was fantastic for us last season and deserves his chance.”