PAUL Britton’s long wait to take the reins of Yate Town comes to an end on Friday when the Bluebells start their pre-season campaign.

And he has urged fans to stick with his new-look side this season as they battle to compete in the Evo-Stik Southern League Division One South and West.

Yate Town finished in mid-table last year after a couple of winless barren spells before Christmas and at the back end of the campaign.

And there has been a number of players from last season who have gone to pastures new which has left Britton with a clean slate to work from.

The fixtures for the league season will be out on Friday just hours before manager Britton, who took control at the end of April from interim player-manager Darren Edwards, takes his team to tough Western League outfit Bristol Manor Farm.

There, Britton is likely to introduce some of his new signings to match action which include Kye Mountfield, Kyle Thomas and Eugene Keary.

And there is also good news about Yate Town favourite Mitch Tippins who has re-signed for the club and should be back in action soon after a long injury lay-off.

Britton is keen to get going now, saying: “I’m buzzing.”

He added: “It’s been a strange pre-season and we have had a few knock-backs but we have got a few exciting players, with some others who are currently outstanding but who we are looking to sign.”

Mountford, who has played for Bridgwater and Clevedon in the past, is one of those to come on board. Britton said: “He was with Odd Down (Bath) at the end of last season and is a competitive midfielder.”

On the two others who have joined, the manager added: “Kyle Thomas was at Bridgwater and was with (Bristol) Rovers as a youngster. He’s an attacking midfielder and wide player, and Eugene Keary is a very good ball-playing midfielder who was with Bitton FC.”

Britton also has a headache in sorting out the number of players in his squad after being encouraged by the amount of people turning up for training.

“We have had good numbers at pre-season,” he added. “I am always looking (for players). It is an on-going process.”

But he is fully aware that he has to have a squad size that allows players to get onto the field, otherwise there can be disharmony among the ranks.

“You are looking at a core of 16 players so that you can keep them happy. There will be other players on dual registration and players coming up from the youth team. We have a strategy and we know where we want to go.”

Yet he said: “We will try and play a decent brand of football but it’s not going to happen from day one. Most of the experienced players who were here last season have left and the club is moving on.”

As for the opening friendly, Britton knows how difficult Bristol Manor Farm will be. “This will be about finalising the squad. Manor Farm are a good side. They are a top Western League team and they have aspirations to be in the Southern League this campaign.”

Meanwhile, Yate have been drawn at home to Southern League Division One Central unit Fleet Town in the FA Cup preliminary round, with the match taking place at Lodge Road on Saturday August 20.

They face an away derby to Mangotsfield United in the FA Trophy preliminary round on Saturday October 8 with the winners at home to either Bridgwater or North Leigh in the first qualifying round on Saturday October 29.