TERRY Murphy is plotting a busy summer to avoid the mistakes he made last year.

The Middlewich Town boss told the Guardian he would twist, not stick, when shuffling his pack ahead of next season.

"I took it easy last year," he admitted.

"Everybody pledged to stay so I decided not to strengthen the squad, which I believe ended up costing us our league title."

His defence was decimated by the departure of lynchpin Graham Kay to Woodley Sports and a long term injury to Andrew Tutt, himself a stand in for Lee Murphy who had retired.

Keeper Kevin Whitehead also quit due to work commitments, to leave the Witches' rearguard in need of a rebuild.

It's a project Murphy is still in the midst of now.

Dave Shore will be missing at the start of next season, so Town's capture of former Barnton stopper Shaun Came could be crucial.

He will be given time to develop an understanding with Chris Jump, but Murphy will not be relying on those two alone.

"To be honest I need four centre backs," he said.

"It's a position where you are vulnerable to picking up suspensions and injuries and I don't want to be caught short again.

"I need people on standby to replace them.

"The same goes for the keeper, I want someone in place before the start of the season."

Murphy has moved for ex-Barnton front runner Dave Tasker already, increasing the competition for places in attack with Mike Brandon, Joey Roberts, Stuart Tulloch and Dean Clarke.