SOUTHEND Saxons’ head coach Martin Jones insists he is happy with his new look squad at Warners Bridge.

Southend have seen 15 players leave the club since the end of last season.

But 12 have now arrived in the opposite direction and Jones is pleased with the progress being made.

“In order to rebuild Southend into a sustainable club this probably needed to happen if I’m honest,” said Jones.

“Originally it was hard because we realised we were losing some seasoned campaigners and some well-known faces from the club.

“But because so many went it was the chance for a new group to take over.

“It’s taken a while because to start with we had only so many people training but that’s increased as we’ve gone along.

“It’s been pleasing for us and also the players who stayed like Todd Bailey, Chris Vaughan, Chris Shields and Tom Reeman, who can see something is happening which they’ve bought into.”

Jones played a key part in Southend avoiding relegation from National Three London & SE last season.

The Saxons - who suffered a 10 point deduction - turned things around in their final few fixtures to avoid dropping down into London One North.

But Jones believes the club are now entering a transitional period.

“It’s a transition year for us,” said Jones, who also played for Southend in the 1980s.

“When you look at the league there are four new teams in there but we’re still trying to find our feet.

“We won’t be able to target the top boys.

“I don’t think that’s possible for us this year but if we keep everyone together then next year we can push on.”

Jones still hopes to make another three or four signings before the season gets underway.

And he remains determined to bring success back to the club who started their pre-season campaign with a 41-26 win at Saffron Walden last weekend.

“Southend used to be the best of Essex and the better players wanted to play here so if we can get somewhere near that again we should see Essex rugby improving, especially with how well our local rivals (Westcliff) have been doing,” said Jones.

“The culture here has changed and the players have come up with the core values, not us, so fingers crossed we can do something good.”