Holcombe start their Men's Hockey League Premier Division campaign on Saturday at home to Reading

Holcombe men begin phase one of their English Premier Division challenge on Saturday – hoping to build on last season’s success.

Kent’s premier hockey outfit - led by recent EuroHockey Hall of Fame inductee Barry Middleton - are at home to Reading (6pm).

Holcombe finished as runners-up last season and follow this weekend’s opener with games at Southgate next Saturday, Old Georgians (September 28) and Surbiton (September 30) before taking on Racing Club de France in Barcelona at the start of October in the Euro Hockey League.

Middleton said: “It’s time for us to get back to how we played at the end of last season and remember what got us to those big games at the end of the season.

“It’s always hard for teams to start again, everyone’s back on zero points.

“There were games last year where we finished five or six places above teams but only beat them by one goal, you can’t forget that it’s still tough and we’ve got to come out and earn every win, respect every opposition we play.

“For us as a team and group but also the club as a whole, hopefully it will get the season off to a really good start.”

New signings Alex Pendle and Brad Read will both be involved for Middleton’s side.

Louis Duprez is also back at the club, joining from Beeston.

He’s hoping success back in Kent can help him earn a spot in the French team ahead of the Olympics.

Middleton said: “Louis is a player we know well from his time at the club in the past. His energy and enthusiasm are infectious for any group he is a part of.

“He also has great quality in both attack and defence and is another brilliant addition to the squad.

“I’m really happy with the guys coming in - one from a playing side and what they can bring on the pitch but they also fit into our