OXFORD City start their new Vanarama National League South campaign this weekend a much-changed club.

General manager Justin Merritt and Danny Nicholls, who has been promoted to joint boss, have assembled a new squad from scratch to host Welling United tomorrow, having parted ways with 11 members of the squad which finished last season.

Off the field as well, the tragic death of managing director Colin Taylor has forced a reshuffle behind the scenes and Merritt admitted the summer had been a difficult period for the club.

“Unfortunately, with events at the club it’s been a tough time for everyone and we’re getting through that,” he said.

“We’re trying to pull everything together and looking at where we are and hopefully find a way of building a strong board and committee to take on all of the work Colin was doing.

“It’s not just the structure of the club – we also have to look at where we are financially, because there’s a lot of complications there.

“All of that is still unfolding at the moment.”

On the field, only five senior players have been retained following a poor end to the previous campaign.

Among the casualties was long-serving captain Darren Pond, who left for Leamington after being offered a reduced contract.

Last season’s top-scorer Bradley Bubb, who has joined league rivals Ebbsfleet United, and winger Marlon Jackson, who secured a move to Sky Bet League Two side Newport County, have also moved on.

Goalkeeper Laurie Walker became the latest departure yesterday, signing for neighbours Brackley Town.

But there has been activity in the other direction, with former Oxford United midfielder, Scott Davies, joining from Wealdstone, as well as Godfrey Poku, from Woking.

Shaun McAuley, Louie Soares and Liam Enver-Marum have all made the switch from relegated Basingstoke Town, while the returning Tom Winters and full-back Eddie Odhiambo have signed from Brackley.

PLAYERS IN

Freddie Grant (Oxford Utd), James Fawke (Cinderford Tn), Eddie Odhiambo, Tom Winters (both Brackley Tn), Scott Davies (Wealdstone), Shaun McAuley, Louie Soares, Liam Enver-Marum (all Basingstoke Tn), Godfrey Poku (Woking), Martin Asiedu Ofosu (Borgomanero).

PLAYERS OUT

Declan Benjamin (Banbury Utd), Bradley Bubb (Ebbsfleet United), Paul Stonehouse (Slough Town), Darren Pond (Leamington), Marlon Jackson (Newport County), Jose Lapoujade, Ander Del Alamo, Julen Lafuente, Carlos Pifarré, Jon Arzamendi, Alejandro-Adrian Santiago, Laurie Walker (Brackley Tn).