WELTON Rovers’ manager Jamie Harrison has been pleased with the club’s build-up to the new football season.

He said: “Chris Pile and Lewis Russell have been brilliant in helping bring back some former players to create a squad that has great quality and experience, blended with some exciting young players.

“We have been working with a group of around 30 players, but as all managers and clubs know that getting them all together at the same time during preseason is the biggest challenge! Holidays, work and Glastonbury have been obstacles to navigate and there are also a large number still away who, if they were to enter the Western League, they would finish high in Div 1!

“But we must be patient during July as we build towards the first game of the season against Sturminster and everything will come together, so by August we can provide a strong team that the Green Army can be proud of.

“With some missing comes opportunities for others and I have been really pleased with the quality in our reserve team and ul8s, who have stepped up to join Ist team training.

“Shaun Grant, Jason Mears (reserve team managers) and Lorne Weeks (u18 manager), have been fantastic and really bought in to our joint mission of providing a pathway for young, local players into the lst team.”

It is no secret that Welton took some hammerings in the Premier Division of the Jewson League last season and although they finished rock bottom results and particularly performances were beginning to significantly improve as it came to a close.

Playing in the first division will not be as tough although Welton will still face some difficult games but will be much more competitive under Harrison. It should also be a much better season for supporters to enjoy.