New player/coach Tom Roberts says that Spalding Town have designs on being a team the town can be proud of.
Town, who are managed by ex-Moulton Harrox player Danny Kingman, have been on something of a recruitment drive over the summer.
The ChromaSport PDFL Division Two side get their season under way on Saturday, as they welcome league newboys Wisbech St Mary Saints in a UCL/PDFL Groundhop game that will be held at Knight Street in Pinchbeck (4.30pm).
Appointing ex-Holbeach United boss Roberts as player/coach is the headline move by Town, who have also signed Harry Ford, Ash West, Matt Rose, Ricky Dickinson, Jack Smith, Robbie Cundy, Sam Deykin and renowned frontman Jamie Cartlidge, who is returning to the game after a hiatus.
Roberts, who walked away from his role with Holbeach back in November, says he has come to Town in a bid to help them become Spalding’s “second team”.
The ultimate aim for the club would be to elevate themselves to PDFL Premier Division status – but, for now at least, they seem equipped to be challenging for promotion in Division Two.
“It’s a good project,” enthused Roberts. “The idea is to build up a team to become the second club in the town.
“We’ve got lots of quality in the team and are a bunch of local lads proud to represent a team in Spalding. It’s a big town, so it’s strange that there is only really one main team.
“There is no overall aim, but obviously reaching the PDFL Premier Division would be where we’d want to be in the future.
“Just to help build a well-respected club is what we’re thinking of, first and foremost.”
Admission to Town’s Groundhop game on Saturday is £4, with with the bar open and a selection of hot and cold food available.
- Full Groundhop schedule: Friday – Huntingdon v Pinchbeck (7.45pm). Saturday – Holbeach v Sleaford (10.45am); Moulton v Sutton Bridge (1.45pm); Spalding Town v WSM Saints (4.30pm); Bourne v Raunds (7.45pm). Sunday – Long Sutton v Tydd (11am); Leverington v ICA Sports (2pm); Wisbech v Wellingborough (5pm).
