FOOTBALL: RUGBY Town are back in action this Saturday when the kick-start their pre-season schedule with a home tie against Atherstone.
Saturday’s game will take place on the Butlin Road artificial pitch at 1pm before Town make the short trip to Coventry on Tuesday evening, July 11, to face Coventry Copsewood.
Both upcoming warm-up opponents play one division below Town, who this year will debut in the Midland Football League Premier following their relegation from step four of the non-league pyramid last season.
The games should provide an early indication to the prospects of this year’s squad that Town manager Dave Stringer has been busy assembling throughout the close season.
Valley’s warm-up schedule continues with two further Saturday matches on the Butlin Road astro against Nuneaton Griff and Romulus on the July 15 and 22 respectively, with an away game at another MFL Division One side Hinckley sandwiched in between on July 18.
Three more players have signed contracts for the club over the last week, with Mason Rowley, Kyle Rowley and Trey Brathwaite all following up on their verbal commitment by penning one season deals at Rugby.
The trio were all part of last season’s relegation squad, and the signings boost the total of 2017/18 contracted players to eight – following similarly agreed deals for David Kolodynski, Niall Cooper, James Dance, Josh Ruff and Ruben Wiggins-Thomas.
Town’s first run-out this weekend comes after two weeks of training, with two others from Stringer’s first spell at the club – Craig Kelly and Fazel Koriya – having also participated in the sessions.
Ex-Basford and Belper utility player Josh Thornton was another looking to impress and join up again with his team-mate from previous seasons Wiggins-Thomas for the new season.
Admission for Saturday’s astroturf fixture is free.
