Havant & Waterlooville have not stopped throughout the summer window in their attempts to build a squad that is ready to challenge for promotion into the National League. 

The Club has welcomed a range of new players to Westleigh Park over the past month and last week was no different with two new faces walking through the doors. 

Sam Dowridge was confirmed a Hawks player on Tuesday, who impressed during his loan spell with the Club. 

“I had pretty much made my mind up after the game against AFC Totton” began Doswell, “he had another good week in training, I think he showed very similar traits at the game in Horndean. I saw something in him almost within five minutes of watching him and sometimes that’s the gut feeling you want about a player. He has got the two-year contract to work his way into being a first team player, but I think if I’m being honest that he can do it quicker.” 

The 20-year-old has signed a deal with the Hawks, but he will be sent out on loan to Bognor Regis Town in order to get some senior football under his belt. 

With an exciting name in Dowridge confirming his future with the Club, it was more good news for Doswell and his team as they managed to tie down backup goalkeeper Joe Tupper on a permanent deal. 

Tupper was signed during the playoff campaign last season as someone who was there ready to replace number one Ross Worner if needed, the number two shot stopper committed his future to the Club this week. 

“Joe initially just signed for the playoffs; we needed a second keeper incase Ross got injured. Ross took on a massive workload last year, you know he played every single game virtually, so it was important to bring in another goalkeeper.”

“We saw enough of Joe within the two weeks highlighting that not only is he a good young keeper, he had just been released from Crystal Palace,  he’s also had that great professional environment to work in. We were really pleased to get Joe over the line because he will provide Ross with genuine competition whereas before, that wasn’t really there for Ross in the first place.”

By Liam Rice (@Liam_Rice9)