SWINDON Supermarine are searching for a new striker after Josh Parsons told the club that he would be returning to Hungerford Town.

The forward, who bagged 29 goals to help Marine reach the play-offs last term, is the third player at the Webb’s Wood Stadium side to announce that he would not be returning.

Midfielder Danny Hilder has emigrated to Australia, while defender Craig Curtis has secured a job in Dubai and will be in the UAE for the next two years.

But it is the loss of Parsons to the Southern League Premier Division side which will be felt the most at the South Marston club after he formed such a lethal partnership with Ash Edenborough.

“It is disappointing that Josh is not coming back,” manager Dave Webb said. “I’ve had him with me here at Supermarine and at Highworth.

“He is a ambitious player and I can only wish him all the best.”

While Parson, Hilder and Curtis will not be returning this summer, Webb is hopeful that the majority of the squad from last season will remaining.

But with not being able to register players until June 1, the Marine boss admits he has got anxious wait.

“The players have said that they want to comeback,” he said. “The problem I’ve got is that I can’t register them yet.

“At the moment it is a case of getting around them all and working to that June 1 date - hopefully nothing will change.”

Having already stated that he wants to strengthen his defence to help with their assault on Division One South and West, Webb is hoping to have at least four new faces when they return to pre-season training.

“Strengthening at the back is something that I keen to do, we must be harder to beat next season,” he said.

“And with Josh leaving I need a new striker. I’m at the early stages of negotiating with one who has played at this level and beyond.”

Marine are also close to finalising pre-season friendly programme. With visits from Swindon Town on the July 12 and Chippenham Town the following week, the South Marston men will also head to Brimscombe and Thrupp on July 26 and then Highworth Town on August 2.

“I’m hoping that we can get in another big home friendly in,” Webb said. “Unfortunately it won’t be against Gloucester City.

“I think that we will also play New College as we groundshare with them and perhaps we can also get in games with Purton and Wootton Bassett.”