DROITWICH Spa are set to include a number of trialists as they begin their preparations for their first season in the West Midlands League Division One.
The Saltmen, who have been moved across leagues from the Midland League, kick off their warm-up games tomorrow (Saturday) against Welland at their Stourport Swifts base and then tackle Bewdley Town at Walshes Meadow next Thursday.
Though Nick Seabourne has departed to Highgate United, the Saltmen have kept the squad which finished third in the Midland League Division Two last season, and joint-manager Wayne Oliver and Mark Owen will also run the rule over several trialists who have been training.
“Apart from Seabourne, we have retained everybody from last season plus we have got four trialists. They will all have a run out on Saturday or Thursday,” said Oliver.
“We’re looking pretty solid and anybody who comes in will need to improve us.
“This group of lads has been with us for the last three years, coming in as young lads and they have developed over the season with us. I know three or four have had offers from other clubs so it’s great to know they still want to play with us. We don’t have the money for players like some other clubs.”
Meanwhile, Droitwich can look forward to their first-ever ‘home’ tie in the FA Vase.
They have been handed an extra preliminary tie at home to Midland Premier side Coventry United, to be played on September 1, with the winners at home to Atherstone Town in the next stage.
“It’s our first home tie so it will create a bit of history,” said Oliver. “But it will be a tough test. They are two leagues higher than us.
“We have played them before they whizzed up the leagues so it will be a good test to see where we are now.”
FRIENDLIES: Sat July 14 v Welland, H (3pm); Thurs July 19 v Bewdley Town, H (7pm); Sat July 21 v Cadbury Athletic Res, H (3pm); Thurs July 26 v Stourport Swifts, A (7.45pm); Sat July 28 v Hinton, H (3pm).
