9:39am Thursday 9th July 2009
By Ashley Loveridge
SIX new faces will put pen to paper this week to bolster Forest Green boss Jim Harvey’s rebuilding plans.
The manager is still in the hunt for full-backs, central midfielders wide players and strikers for his squad ahead of the new Blue Square Premier League season.
The Nailsworth club currently have Terry Burton, Mark Preece, Lee Ayres, Conal Platt, Paul LIoyd, Jonathan Smith and Dave Brown contracted for next season.
Meanwhile, Harvey agreed terms this week with 21-year-old defender Paul Stonehouse.
Rovers’ longest-serving player is considered within Football Conference circles to be a top-quality, attack-minded left-back and was voted last season’s Supporters Player of the Year.
Striker Marcus Palmer has also signed a new deal. The 21-year-old, who played for Gloucester City and Chippenham Town last season, scored on his Rovers debut away at Altrincham having only been on the field of play for three minutes.
England under-18 international goalkeeper Tom Pass has been awarded his first professional contract at the New Lawn after coming through the youth ranks. He recently earned the man of the match award when playing for England Under-18s against France at Wembley.
Lee Fowler will make a swift return to the New Lawn on Saturday, August 8 following his summer switch to Mark Cooper’s side.
Rovers face a stiff opening to the season with a mid-week trip to Crawley Town three days later. Harvey’s side are on the road again on August 15, this time travelling to York City were they will face former favourite Alex Lawless.
Conference title favourites Luton Town travel to Nailsworth on Tuesday, August 18 and AFC Wimbledon’s first visit to the New Lawn comes on Saturday, October 10.
For the second season running, Forest Green face Grays Athletic on the last day of the season, this time at home on April 24.
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