For a manager whose team only won twice in 2013, Frank James admits he is smiling more than ever.

Last season, under the stewardship of Neil Cummins, CB Hounslow United only won one game in the second half of the season, and indeed only two all season, as they finished bottom of Combined Counties Division One.

Club chairman James took over the managerial reigns once more in the summer, but his side once more sit bottom of the pile, with just one victory so far this campaign.

However, James admits he is happier than when his side were sweeping all before them in their rise up the intermediate leagues, and is looking forward to a better 2014.

He said: “I've never managed a team that loses so much, but I'm enjoying myself more than ever. We have got a really nice group now, and the boys have never seen me so happy. If this group can stay together and work as hard as I know they can, we will turn some heads.

“The thing about this season is the teams we know we can results against we haven't played due to the weather. This league is like any other, you know the teams you can get points off. But ask any of the teams we have played and they will say we have more than competed.

“We're more competitive season as we're getting the bookings, so were getting the feet in. Now we just need the hard work to pay off in terms of results.”

At the centre of James' optimism, as well as a move to a new ground at Green Lane on the horizon, are a clutch of new signings complimenting some promising youngsters.

Aston Ventour, George Marks and Sham Ali have signed from Bedfont Sports, while Connor Murphy and Andre Morais have stepped up from the youth set up.

He added: “Aston is a striker I have known since he was a kid, I grew up with his dad. He has plenty of pace and is a bit like Theo Walcott – when he is on form he will win you the game.

“Sham has a great technique when he fancies it, a bit like Berbatov, while George has a reputation as a solid centre-back and has brought his friend Luke Redhead (ex-Bedfont & Feltham) to play alongside him.

“Conor is a left sided player who needs to go professional, he has that much ability and reads the game so well, while Andre is more of a work in progress.”

CB, along with their landlords Bedfont & Feltham, saw their Division One games wiped out by the weather at the weeekend. CB are due to visit Sandhurst Town tomorrow, while Bedfont & Feltham are at Eversley & California.