PORTHLEVEN have added defensive pair Dan Lord and Matthew Laithwaite to their first team ahead of the 2020/21 season.

The pair join fellow defenders Isaac Dryburgh and Max Roberts in signing for the Fishermen this season, while striking pair Dan Quirke and Ross Duncan are also set to be involved this season after agreeing to join shortly before the early end to the 2019/20 season.

Versatile defender Lord arrives at Gala Parc after spending most of last season with St Piran League West leaders Penryn Athletic, and he is eager to make an impression one step higher in the pyramid.

He is also willing to take on the stiff competition for places at centre-back, with Lord set to compete with Dryburgh, Roberts, Jake Harrison and club captain Hugh Howlett for the available starting spots.

READ MORE: Fishermen add youthful trio to squad

“Lordy’s stepping up after playing at Penryn last year,” manager Graham Blake said. “Obviously, it’s the next step for him but he’s really willing to give it a go, which is good for us.”

He added: “He wants to play at centre half, he said that to me and I’ve said to him, ‘Look, there’s competition there’, but that’s what we want, we want a healthy competition in the squad. If everyone just picks themselves every week then it’s easy for every player to get complacent.”

Full-back Laithwaite joins the Fishermen after a spell at fellow SWPL Premier West side St Dennis last season Mousehole and Perranporth.

“We were looking for that up and down, busy left-sided or right-sided player which Matty Laithwaite definitely is,” Blake said.

“He lives in Fraddon but he’s come down, he’s trained every week and really enjoyed it. He’s enjoyed Thommo’s [head coach Jamie Thomson] training, what I have to offer and Porthleven, and we’re delighted to have him.”

Laithwaite made his first appearance in a Porthleven shirt on Thursday night as the Fishermen ran out 2-1 winners at Illogan RBL in their opening pre-season friendly.