BASINGSTOKE Bison player/coach Steve Moria has further strengthened his squad by signing a second netminder.

Dean Skinns, who was born in Basingstoke and began his career with the Bison, will return to his hometown club for the 2010/11 English Premier League (EPL) season.

The 26-year-old has plenty of EPL experience, having played for the Bracknell Bees, Slough Jets and Guildford Flames in the past.

Moria knows all about his new signing, having played with Skinns at Slough – and while he says that Tom Annetts will be first choice, the coach is delighted to have two fine |netminders at the club.

“Signing Dean really gives the Bison a strong goalkeeping unit as a one-two punch,” Moria said.

“The good thing for me is that we have got two guys who can play at different stages of the season, which makes us very strong in that position.

“Tom Annetts was excellent over the last three months of the season so we have signed him as our number one.

“He took his chance last year and won us a lot of games towards the end of the season.

“Dean is more than capable though and we are really pleased to have him on board.

“He is young but he has a lot of experience in the EPL and has been a success wherever he has played.”

Skinns admits that he would prefer to play every match – but he is prepared to fight for his place in the team.

“The more I play, the better I get,” the former Brighton Hill pupil said.

“Knowing that I was only going to get one game a weekend was a big challenge for me at Guildford last year.

“This year I am going into a similar situation but I will approach it a bit better and hopefully I will play a bit more. I am hoping to get back to where I was a couple of years ago.

“I am ecstatic to be back at Basingstoke. I have been waiting a long time to return to the Bison.”

Skinns’ signing almost completes Moria’s transfer business – but the Bison coach has indicated that he may move for a young defenceman in the coming weeks.