St Ives Town boss Ricky Marheineke reckons he has drafted in the perfect mixture of experience, knowledge and talent.

Marheineke has launched his summer recruitment drive ahead of Saints’ second campaign in the Southern League Premier Division with three captures.

Full-back Brett Longden, who has been snapped up from Step 3 rivals Chesham, is the man with the know-how at this level.

Longden was part of the St Neots Town team which reached the play-off final at this level back in 2014-15.

The knowledge of Marheineke’s working methods belongs to Phil Draycott, who returns to ProEdge Westwood Road after being part of the promotion-winning Saints’ squad of 2015-16.

He was at Division One (South) side Barton Rovers last term and one of his team-mates from the Bedfordshire club will be making the same switch.

Fellow winger Jimmy Hartley made a big impression on Marheineke when playing against St Ives in a cup tie.

“I’m really pleased with all three additions,” said Marheineke. “Brett has been a fixture in teams which have done well at this level in recent seasons, and he will add immense quality to our squad.

“It’s great to have Phil back at the club. We know exactly what we’re going to get from him – and he also knows what is required of a St Ives Town player.

“He fully understands that any success we have is built on hard work. He is outstanding defensively, but also possesses a great left foot to hurt teams.

“Jimmy is a young and exciting player. He was outstanding against us last season, and also impressed whenI watched Barton a couple of times after that.

“He plays with a spark and I’m confident he will both make and score goals.”

Marheineke is tracking a couple more potential signings and has retained all but one member of the Saints’ squad which finished last season.

Goalkeeper Tim Trebes, full-backs Jack Bradshaw and Jordan Jarrold, central defenders Lee Chaffey, Liam McDevitt and Charlie De’Ath, midfielders Tom McGowan, Peter Clark and Eugene Libertucci, winger Ben Seymour-Shove, and strike pair Danny Kelly and Dubi Ogbonna have agreed to stay.

Charlie Day has not committed due to going travelling.