East Grinstead responded to the biggest – and perhaps only setback in their recent history – in the best possible fashion.

Now they are setting their sights even higher as they prepare for the new NOW: Pensions Men’s Premier Division campaign.

The men’s first team has been on a glory laden trail for a number of years now, establishing themselves as the dominant force of English hockey in the modern era indoors and outdoors.

The season before last they finished fifth, their worst outdoor finish since 2006, and failed to qualify for Europe, which was a huge disappointment for the club.

Last season they fought back from that setback to finish top of the Premier Division in the regular season and reach the play-off final where they lost in a penalty shootout to champions Beeston.

That was in addition to another successful indoor campaign, which included winning the national indoor title for a record-breaking sixth year in a row and ninth time in total as well retaining their top-flight European status after a memorable weekend which the club hosted at the K2 Centre in Crawley.

The turnaround was sparked by a new lead coach in Karl Stagno, a number of new players and a renewed sense of focus created by the setback.

Additions have been limited this summer as Grinstead look to build on the foundations they put down in 2013-14.

Manager Matt Jones believes a degree of stability can help the Saint Hill club achieve their goals in 2014-15.

The four new arrivals are England and Great Britain goalkeeper Paddy Smith from Cannock, highly-rated Chris Griffiths from Loughborough Students, University of Durham forward Sam Driver and England under-18 midfielder or forward Rhys Smith from Whitgift School.

England and Great Britain international defender Iain Lewers has joined Holcombe while England under-21 international Luke Taylor has moved to Loughborough Students after going to university there.

Jones said: “We have boxed pretty clever in the close season, trying to pull in assets which will complement our existing roster.

“We have done that well with a lot of talent and experience, particularly after last year when we had quite a lot of fresh blood. Those new faces have bedded in very nicely as have our new signings.

“That has been demonstrated in our pre-season games where we have worked very nicely for each other, spread the goals around and shown a vast improvement in our finesse in front of goal.

“It is hard to benchmark too much on the results in pre-season because of the fluctuations of availability between not only ours but our opposition’s rosters but we are very positive as always going into the season.”

The only negative going into the season is England and Great Britain international Mark Gleghorne suffering a fractured cheekbone and eye socket in pre-season which required surgery last weekend and will rule him out for a significant period of time.

Gleghorne’s injury could offer an opportunity to Driver and Smith as Grinstead open their season away to Cannock tomorrow evening.

Niall Stott has taken over as captain from Glenn Kirkham who will continued in a player-coach role.