WITH the beginning of pre-season now just three weeks away, Rushall Olympic manager, Neil Kitching, is satisfied with how things have panned out so far.
“It`s so far so good," he said. "We have retained 12 of last season`s squad, which I am delighted with, and we have spoken to a number of potential new players.
"I have agreements with three or four of them, but because no player can officially be registered until July 1st, we are keeping the names under wraps until then.
"I am also hoping to bring in at least another two players and have definite targets in mind.
"This time of pre-season is always a little frustrating but it is beginning to come together and by the time I go on holiday, I would hope to have had all business done and dusted.
"We have lost some players and I am disappointed to lose Alex Melbourne to Hednesford Town and it is looking increasingly likely that Christian Dacres will be going to Stafford Rangers.
"Alex Forde has also left us has he wanted to be playing regular first-team football and James Skedgel has also gone because of his works commitments.
"I am disappointed at losing goalkeeper, Lewis Fenney who has joined Leamington because he feels his chances of regular first-team football are better there than they are at Dales Lane.
"Luke Bottomer has been offered a new contract at Tamworth so he returns there and striker, Craig Bannister has unfortunately retired from the game after suffering a number of serious injuries.
"All in all I have to say that I am quite happy with what has happened since the end of the season. The three or four players that I have commitments from are all proven players at this level and that can only stand us in good stead for our second season at this level.
"We will also have a number of trialists that we shall be looking at during pre-season and I am hoping to arrange a triallist game as well so we can have a good look at them in a match situation."
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Thanks for the update guys!
Disappointed to hear of the departures, but thats non league footy I guess, here one minute and gone the next. My only concern is squad depth, some have left and some will come in, but in my opinion the squad was a bit thin on numbers anyway...
Hopefully the recruitment process will be ever continuing as a strong squad in numbers and quality is gonna be crucial i think. Goals were a problem last season, not so much conceding them as I thought the defence was excellent, just scoring them proved difficult at times.
Good luck to Craig Bannister, bad that he has had to retire. Always enjoyed watching him play, could score all types of goals, the tap in and the chip of the keeper..against stocksbridge I recall...all the best Craig!
Dacres, Melbourne, Skedgel, Bottomer.........
Gutted.
Throw in the others and that's half the team.
Very disappointing not being able to keep the squad together.
Fifa Street Bottomer was a different class. Really, really not happy.
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