Richie Andrews provides an insight into the comings and goings at The Big Field this summer and why he is full of optimism for the season ahead.

MY WIFE is still in shock that the season is upon us already. The boys have been training since the beginning of July and the whole club from U16 upwards have been working hard.

Last season was very enjoyable with the club's first ever Surrey Cup triumph over Richmond, although I have to say that the win in the semi-final against a very strong Esher Cardinals was for me the performance of the season.

However, to have completed so well in the first season of National Rugby was an enormous achievement and gives us a great benchmark for moving forward.

Ollie Buckland, a very good tighthead prop with London Irish Academy and Esher and the cornerstone of our scrum last season, has retired due to a neck injury and will now be part of the back room, although he will be much missed on the field.

Julian Bambridge, who started at loosehead prop in the cup final, has also had to hang his boots up following a hip injury.

He takes over as club captain and is already getting everybody organised.

Jason Hoad, who has been coaching the backs since I joined the club, has also decided to take a break to spend more time with his young family.

Fortunately we have ex-Harlequins prop Greg Bateman back fit and training hard with the squad.

Greg has represented England in a number of age groups and is not only a player of great quality but also provides cover in all three positions in the front row.

Also joining us this season is Tom Bristow, who represented London & South East of England at U20 last season with our hooker James Catton. Tom suggested that he would be looking for a National Three club to play for while he is studying at Kingston University. Tom is a member of Bedford Blues Academy.

Our last recruit to the Dorking front row union is Diogo Santos a promising Portuguese U20 international looking for more experience. Some time in National Three should help that.

Another exciting addition to the squad is centre Alrich Muller who is an old friend of 1st XV skipper Armand Roux when they played age group rugby back in South Africa. Alrich has been playing down the road at Old Reigatians, but is keen to play at a higher level and has impressed at training.

Playing in midfield alongside Matt Noble and Simon Love is an exciting prospect indeed. I think many teams will struggle to live with this top combination.

Matt, a sparkling No 10 and our top try scorer last season, has taken over as vice captain from Ollie Cummings who has done a fantastic job the last three seasons in this.

Armand Roux will continue to lead from the front as only "Arrie" can, but he will also be taking a greater role coaching, helping me out with the team's preparation.

It is a natural progression for him and I have no doubt he will prove to be an outstanding coach once his playing days are over.

Everybody at the club hopes that is a long way off.

Also on the coaching front, England and London Irish scrum-half Paul Hodgson will continue taking sessions every other Tuesday at least.

Paul has been with us for a couple of seasons now and his input has been superb.

To compliment his coaching we have two more back\skills coaches. Rowly Williams, who has coached at Wasps, Quins, Bath as well as the US Eagles, worked in Quins Academy with me and now works as a kicking coach for various Premiership players.

The last addition is Barry Everitt who for many years was Paul Hodgson's half back partner at London Irish.

Last season Barry was at Northampton but has now retired from professional rugby to take up a teaching position at Cranmore School and in his spare time Barry will come along too.

With this coaching team and Gareth Tong from Harlequins still in charge of the conditioning we are in a great position to improve on last season's sixth place.

Dorking 1st XV and A XV start their first warm-up games v Wimbledon at The Big Field on Saturday (3pm).

Dorking U16s are seeking players for the coming season. We field two sides.

The A side play in Surrey League One and are pushing for a top four finish to qualify for next season's U17 National Cup.

Both sides need players now. Contact U16 manager Paul Mosley on 07825 092408.