WITH less than two weeks to go until Buntingford start their Herts County League campaign, boss Paul Attfield has spoken for the first time about Town s six-point deduction that cost them the league title last season. Attfield said: Someone from a club f

WITH less than two weeks to go until Buntingford start their Herts County League campaign, boss Paul Attfield has spoken for the first time about Town's six-point deduction that cost them the league title last season.

Attfield said: "Someone from a club from outside our league got involved in business that quite frankly had nothing to do with them by tipping off a club in our league."

He refused to name the club, but said they would do better in the future by concentrating on their own affairs.

Attfield said: "All parties were completely oblivious to the situation, and we had our hands completely tied.

"But I can't take anything away from the players, and in my eyes and many others they were the best team in the league and our impressive record cannot be taken away from us.

"In fact the six-point deduction has made us all the more determined to win the league this season."

Attfield is confident they can repeat last year's title-winning form.

"If we can keep our squad fit throughout and play the kind of football we played consistently in the last third of last season we will be extremely hard to beat," he said.

"However, I would like to see us do better in the cup competitions, as I feel we have let ourselves down in the last two years.

"The season looks promising and I'm delighted to have most of last season's squad.

"The younger players also learned a lot last year, and they will be stronger."

Boosted by his squad's commitment, Attfield will be disappointed to see Mark Wright, the club's top scorer in the league, moving to Spartan League Langford.

Also moving on is former Tottenham and Ireland midfielder Tony Galvin, the club's assistant manager, because of work and Huddersfield Town scouting commitments.

Duncan Easley will now make the step from pitch to dugout by becoming Attfield's player/assistant manager.

"Tony has been a great asset to the club and we have learned so much from him," said Attfield.

"While I'm hopeful he will still lend a hand at training sessions, Duncan is a fine replacement who is well respected by all the players, and I am sure he will enjoy his new roll.