New Maidstone Hockey Club men’s first team captain Darren Marchant says the side have received a much-needed injection of fresh blood.

Maidstone finished a disappointing seventh in the South Region 1st XI Premier League last season and Marchant said: "We shipped too many goals and we knew we had to tighten up defensively by bringing in some fresh legs."

Among Maidstone’s new recruits is Australian Ben Harper who was due to arrive in England on Friday.

The versatile 23-year-old played in the Canberra Premier League last season and also represented his regional side.

Maidstone have also added three players from Marchant’s former club Holcombe. Defender Ian Brine, midfielder John Cooper and forward Matt Hill have signed while another forward, Chris Waight, has joined from Burnt Ash on a student bursary.

Maidstone are away to Gore Court tomorrow (Saturday) in a friendly before beginning their competitive campaign on Sunday (12.30) with a home tie in the English HA Cup against Crostyx from the Eastern Premier League. Their first league game is away to Brighton & Hove on October 3.

Goalkeeper Marchant, who joined Maidstone at the start of last season, added: "We have been training for eight or nine weeks and things are looking good. We certainly feel we can improve on last season’s league position."

Maidstone ladies’ first team begin their East Region Premier League season with a trip to Colchester on Saturday, and they are also away the following weekend to Dereham. Their first home game is against West Herts on October 3.