EASTERN Budget: $7.5 million Sponsor: Crocodile Team colours: Green with white trim/white/green Coach: Chan Hung-ping Captain: Lee Kin-wo Foreign professionals: Iain Hesford (goalkeeper), Tim O'Shea (central defence), Ross Greer (left-wing), Paul Nixon (striker), Tony Sealy (striker) Last season: League, champions; Shield, champions; Viceroy Cup, runners-up; FA Cup, champions One to watch: Lee Wai-man, a young and versatile defender whose talents have already seen him established at left-back in the national team Verdict: Will take time to adjust their pattern of play after releasing Dale Tempest and have less strength in depth than last season EASTERN, with the First Division title, the Senior Shield and the FA Cup in the cupboard, took a brave step by releasing their 23-goal leading scorer, Dale Tempest, at the end of last season.
And how they cope without him will hold the key to their campaign, as the rest of the squad remains largely unchanged.
Eastern's success was built on teamwork, continuity and consistency, with Tempest leading the line and at the hub of almost every move.
His replacement, 34-year-old Tony Sealy, is a clever and determined player, with over 60 league goals to his credit in English football, but is a very different player to Tempest. Although Sealy was not fully fit for last weekend's Aw Hoe Cup charity match, it was clear that Eastern will need time to find a fluency in their attack.
Ross Greer, usually on the left wing, may play a more central role, especially on the end of goalkeeper Iain Hesford's huge clearances up field.
Paul Nixon, in lively form already, may have to move deeper to get the ball at his feet, while Sealy will be looking to dart between opposing defenders.
As well as Tempest, Eastern also released right-back or midfielder Yeung Kin-keung (to Instant-Dict) and veteran stopper Lai Law-kau (to Sing Tao), signing only sweeper Wong Kwok-on from Ernest Borel and bustling striker Tong Yuen-sing from Kitchee.