Former Chelmsford City favourite Ian Brown is set to return to the club this summer along with former West Ham United and Tottenham midfielder Paul Allen, as manager Gary Bellamy looks to add more experience as part of what will be an all out bid for promotion to the Dr Martens League Premier Division next season.

This week the manager was also hoping to agree terms with a vastly experienced midfield player, currently with a Ryman League Premier Division outfit in the Greater London area, and he was also talking to a proven goal scorer in the same division.

"I know what we need which is six or seven quality, experienced players which includes a left-back, two midfielders, a wide player and an experienced striker to partner Gary Bennett," he declared.

"We will get them and I am busy talking to several potential candidates and I am confident we will beat other clubs and have them signed on.''

He added: "We know what we have do and we will do it."

Journeyman Brown, always a favourite with City fans, ended the current season playing for Braintree Town having previously been at Cambridge City and Sudbury Town.

"I see Ian, who has a great deal of experience and can still score goals, as being an Ian Wright type of player for us, by coming off the substitutes bench when needed to turn games," he said.

"Allen is also a vastly experienced player and although he has not played for a senior side this season he has maintained his fitness and involvement with the game at a high level and is keen to get back and can do a job for us."

City have released two younger players - Grant Strong and Brian Sutton - neither of whom have been able to command regular first team places - along with midfielder Kevin Newby who joined the club in December from Cambridge City.

"Because Kevin lives the other side of London he is not often able to train with us and cannot give the commitment that we need, so it's best for him to find a club nearer to home," explained the manager.

Others not retained are striker Steve Morris and midfielder Shane Bailey while neither John Girling or young Shane Wardley are expected to stay with the club.

"John needs an operation but has been told to rest for some weeks so he is unlikely to be available in the early part of the season,": Bellamy said. "We would certainly like him to stay but at the moment he wants to keep his options open and we respect that."

As for Wardley, Bellamy said: "We did offer a new contract to Shane but he has up until now declined to commit himself to the club and we simply cannot wait around."

Those on City's retained list include Paul Catley, Brett Girling, John Bishop, Ben Lewis, Danny Barber, Daniel Reeve, Ollie Berquez, Kevin Dobinson, Benson Miyoba, Gary Bennett, Ben Fuller and promising youngster Andrew Cummins who has yet to make his debut for the first team.

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