BOOKHAM continued their preparations for their Combined Counties Premier Division season with a summer tour to France.

The majority of the first team squad spent six days in Megeve, returning yesterday (Wednesday), after playing a match with local side Sallanches and training every day.

The trip was organised through Bookham's chairman Simon Butler who owns two hotels on a ski resort in the French Alps.

Club secretary Bob Elcombe, who travelled with the squad, said it was a fantastic opportunity for team bonding and to warm up for the campaign ahead.

"Only professional sides get the chance to go away together before the season, so for a club the size of ours to be able to do it is fantastic," said Elcombe.

"It's a really good way to build team spirit and a rare chance for the boys to work together day after day.

"We were planning on going a little earlier but the Tour de France was passing through and all the hotels were booked."

Elcombe is hoping the trip will help manager Glyn Mandeville guide Bookham to an improved finish on last season's 15th.

"Our aim every season is the same, to do better than the year before," said Elcombe. "We held our own in the division last season and hopefully we can continue to build on that progress."

However, Bookham will have to do that without the services of last year's top scorer Mark Jarman. The striker has been training with Epsom & Ewell and Elcombe admitted that it is almost certain he will now look for a new challenge.

To soften the blow, Bookham have captured the signing of former Dorking and Banstead forward Craig Duffell, who scored twice in Bookham's 5-2 win over Cobham at the start of last week.

"It will be a big loss to the side losing Mark," admitted Elcombe. "Outside the top five or six clubs he was probably the leading scorer in the division last season.

"However, we're really pleased to have landed Craig. He looked sharp against Cobham and it will certainly soften he blow of losing Mark."

Bookham begin their Combined Counties League Premier Division campaign with a visit to North Greenford United on Saturday August 8.