Now that our lateral move to the Northern Premier League Midlands Division has been confirmed we are able to update you all on the current position with regard to our playing squad.

As previously announced, Lance has already committed his future to the club as have First Team coaches Mark Critoph and Simon Day. Physio James Smith also stays and we’re delighted that all four of these key members of staff will be with us for the coming season.

With regard to the players, it has already been confirmed that both Danny Gould and James Chivers have left the club and we must now add Dan Brown, Simon Swinton, Phil Peachey and Buster Harradine to that list. All of these players have made a huge contribution to the club over many years and for that we are grateful. We are of course extremely sorry to see them all go but we fully understand their reasons and wish them every success in the future.

As a club we were braced to expect the departure of some players after the appeal outcome was announced but we are pleased to be able to confirm that the following players have all committed to the club for the coming season:

  • Ed Rolph
  • Andy Ballester
  • Sam Roach
  • Evan Key
  • Lee Smith
  • Josh Dawkin
  • Alfie Lawrence
  • Tobi Lawal
  • Finley Wilkinson

Charlie Lewis will also remain with the squad for pre-season and the first few games of the league campaign before returning to the States to complete his studies.

There are a number of other squad members with whom Lance is still in discussions but the Gaffer is hopeful of being able to finalise agreements with them in the near future. Once we are in a position to make further announcements then we will of course do so.

As a club we are now gearing up in earnest for pre-season and focussing on the coming NPL campaign. The players will return to training next week and our first pre-season game is scheduled for Friday 9th July against Walsham le Willows at The Bridge (more details about that game are coming soon). We will also be holding trials for potential new players and Lance has a number of individuals he has already invited to train with the squad.