EAST Essex Sabres head coach Lee Joseph has made a number of additions to his squad in a bid to surge up the standings this term.

The Sabres, in their first season as a member of British American Football Association South Football Conference Division Two, finished second from bottom of the standings.

But the club, who are based at the Deanes School, have secured new players and added George Massey, Grant Stammers and James Grieve to the coaching set-up.

And Joseph was pleased to see the recent acquisitions at the Sabres’ first training session of the year.

The head coach said: “It was good to get everybody back together again and we have a lot of new players that I’m excited to see play for us.

“George, Grant and James have retired from playing due to injuries and have now turned their efforts to positional coaching jobs.

“George is now our linebackers coach, Grant is defensive linesman coach and James is secondary coach.

“All three guys are committed to helping this team grow and be stronger and want this team to win games and challenge for a division title.

“They are a great asset to this team and are already making a big difference to how the team are practicing and playing.

“I’m sure all three of them will be great coaches.”

Massey joined the Sabres in 2015 after enjoying a spell with Westcliff Storm Flag.

The linebacker retired at the end of last season and is relishing the chance to work on the sidelines.

Massey said: “When I was given the opportunity to take up the position of middle linebackers coach I jumped at the chance.

“I’m really excited and looking forward to this new challenge.

“I love the East Essex Sabres and everyone involved.

“It’s a privilege to have played middle linebacker because it gave me the responsibility to set an example for the rest of the defence and shows my passion for the team.

“Coaching this sport is something I’ve always wanted to do and to be involved with the Sabres is an absolute privilege for me and the other new coaches.

“We understand what the Sabres are about and we will pass that on to the players in every training session.”

And although the Sabres could only muster two wins in British American Football Association South Football Conference Division Two last season, Massey is adamant that the Thundersley-based side are capable of a title push this campaign.

Massey added: “This team is going to be huge this year.

“We have great players and everyone wants to put in the effort.

“It helps that we have such great support around us.

“I have big aspirations for the coming season, in which I will do everything I can to help this team win the league.”