Off the pitch work continues to be done in getting the pitch lengthened to meet the FA requirements and upgrade the floodlights in line with this. A mixture of volunteers and very friendly contactors are ensuring that this gets done to the required standards but as cost effectively as possible. This work has impacted on our ability to host early home pre-season fixtures, but we are still hoping to get a couple of these in before the start of the season. The official league starting date is the 10th of August, and the full programme of league fixtures will be available in early July. We may begin our competitive start a week early if we are one of the few clubs from our level who are selected to play in the Extra Preliminary of the FA Cup that begins on the weekend of the 3rd of August. If not, we will start with a league fixture on the 10th of August with a mid-week game during the following week and our entry into the FA Cup Preliminary Round on the 17th of August.
On the playing front we are delighted to have secured the signings of Spencer Harris and Cole Wildin. Spencer is a local player based in Sowerby Bridge who has a wealth of experience with clubs at our level and above including Guiseley, Buxton Town, Matlock, Ramsbottom and Bradford Park Avenue. He brings vast experience to the squad and will be a key cog in ensuring the team gels together quickly and achieves success. Cole comes to us from Knaresborough Town and is viewed by Grant and Mick as a rising star. His physical presence, tactical awareness and general all-round play make him a central defender who will dominate the role. Although only 22 he has already exhibited a maturity and stature beyond his years and will be a central figure of the success of the club. Both join a squad of retained and new signings who are already creating a positive squad atmosphere.
We are only one week away from the first pre-season friendly of the new campaign and the feedback from both management and players is that they can’t wait to get started. Players have all talked about the camaraderie in the squad and Grant and Mick the quality and commitment already shown. Everything is very positive and whole club is now looking forward to an exciting and entertaining new season.
As always, we are looking for additional volunteers to help with jobs around the club – be it offering help on match days with car parking, stewarding or in hospitality, or on non-match days with ground upkeep, minor repairs, cleaning, rubbish collecting, weeding and much more. If you have any spare and would like to offer help to a welcoming and inclusive football club, please don’t be shy at coming forward. Contact can be made [email protected]
