Countdown to season begins (From Gazette Series)

Countdown to season begins

AFTER a month of intense pre-season training, Slimbridge embark on their programme of pre-season friendlies on Tuesday with the visit of Southern League Western Division side Yate Town to Wisloe Road.

Confidence is high at the club, with virtually all of last season's squad retained and an intriguing mix of youth and experience running through the side. With the club's pre-season games beginning next week, the time has come for the players to attain match fitness and prove their value.

The game against Richard Thompson's Yate should provide 'Bridge with a suitable test, with the Bluebells having gained promotion from the Hellenic League into the old Dr Martens League two seasons ago. The Lodge Road side are expected to bring their full first team squad to Wisloe Road for the clash.

As well as Yate, Slimbridge will also face Neath AFC, Cheltenham Saracens, Cadbury Heath, Ledbury Town and Hook Norton in a testing pre-season campaign that should set the team up nicely for the start of the Hellenic League season on Saturday, August 21.

Although it is too early to speculate over what manager Doug Gray's starting line-up might be on the opening day, there is no doubt that there will be opportunities for several new players to stake a claim for a first team squad place during pre-season, and there has been much enthusiasm shown in the club's training sessions.

Gray said: "Pre-season has gone well and there has been a good attendance in training. We have virtually retained all of last year's squad, possibly except for two players, and the training is going very well. John Evans and John Hamilton (Slimbridge coaches) have both been excellent on the training pitch.

"I'm happy, and hopefully we'll have another good season. We also hope to sign three or four new faces before the season starts.

"We are also in the FA Vase this season, which is a fantastic achievement for a village of Slimbridge's size. We'll play our first game in the Vase at home to Odd Down.

"I'm excited about it all. We have a good first team squad, and I'm optimistic that we will give a good account of ourselves. The other teams all know a bit about us now, but we know a bit about them as well."

Gray explained how he was pleased with the progress of some of the club's youngsters, while also happy to see so many members of last season's squad re-signing for the club. This should leave a good mix of youth and experience on offer to the manager as he assembles a starting eleven.

He said: "The average age of the squad is down and we have some good youngsters. We're waiting on John Cant, who is going away to university, but have had Steve Badham re-sign, Leon Sterling re-sign and skipper Andy Pritchett has also re-signed. Alan Knott is in training as well and will be looking to challenge Ryan Chandler, who was the only player last season to play in all 61 games that Slimbridge took part in."

Gray also mentioned two names that he has earmarked as potential stars of the season. He added: "My one to watch this season is Spike Devlin, a 23-year-old left-sided utility player who has looked very good in training. He is an ex-Gloucester United player. We have also signed local legend Mel Ackland's son, Jamie, who has been looking good as well."

During the summer break, the club has again been busy off the pitch and has now completed the laying down of new hard-standing surfacing around the far edge of the pitch. In addition, Wisloe Road will boost a revolving turnstile next season and several perimeter improvements.

The actual playing surface at the ground has also been treated by groundsman Dave Whincup and looks to be in excellent condition after the break. Commenting on the summer schedule at Slimbridge, chairman John Mack said: "Not quite as hectic a schedule as the previous close season, but still important to ensure the club keeps moving ahead.

"Last season was great for everyone involved at the club, with three cup wins and a fourth place finish in the Premier Division, but that's gone now and we are looking to build on that."

Mack added: "We must not forget our faithful supporters in the equation as, without them, this club could not have achieved what it has in recent years. Having reached this level, it is now more important than ever to encourage more people to come along, to home matches in particular, if we are to reach up to the next tier in the pyramid, which is where our first pre-season visitors, Yate Town, are currently sitting."