John Chand reckons that his new-look Holbeach United squad is shaping up to be just as strong as the side that he guided to UCL Premier Division glory back in 2012/13.
The returning chief, who is co-boss with Graham Drury this time around, has been impressed with what he has seen from the Tigers over pre-season.
Popular striker Tommy Treacher and former Spalding United midfielder Danny Steadman have become the latest two players to ink forms at Carter’s Park, meaning the squad for the coming season is all but finalised.
They join Adam Jackson, Jamie Stevens, Jonny Allen, Tom Roberts, Gary King, Ross Watson, Liam Parker, Jake Gibson, Ashley Fuller, Ollie Pinner, Jake Duffy, Courtney Meade, Danny Spencer and Lee Dube in committing to the club.
All of them – barring Parker – should feature in Saturday’s opening pre-season date with Louth at Carter’s Park this Saturday (3pm). And Chand, who won three trophies in as many years in his first stint with Holbeach, can’t wait to get started.
“It really is coming along nicely,” said Chand, who is back after taking a year out from management. “I think the squad, all-round, is looking as good – if not better – than the one I had last time.
“We certainly have stronger options all over the field. We have plenty of options up front now, while before we relied a lot on Andrew Tidswell – who has been the best striker at this level for the past three years.
“It’s hard to replace the likes of him, but I’m very happy with what we’ve got.
“I’ve been very impressed with a lot of the players we’ve signed. Duffy in particular looks to be a top player and I know Ash Fuller and Jake Gibson will score goals from the wing.
“It was nice to get ‘Treach’ and Steadman signed up. That just about completes our business, barring maybe one or two that may become available before the season starts.
“We have made an offer to Matt Warfield and would love him to be involved with what we are doing. The ball is in his court for now.
“We have a lot of players that know what it takes to succeed at this level. Graham and I are looking forward to getting started against Louth.”
Pre-season really kicks on for the Tigers from Saturday, with a trip to Gainsborough Trinity (Tuesday, 7.45pm) and a home date with Grantham Town (Saturday week, 3pm) following Louth’s visit to Carter’s Park.
All player registrations were expected to be sent to the United Counties League on Tuesday, making all of Holbeach’s summer business official.
Meanwhile, the Tigers have been handed a trip to Diss Town in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup on August 16 – with the winners banking £1,500 in prize money.
Should they win that, either UCL Premier Division rivals Boston Town or Walsham Le Willows await for a home tie in the preliminary round on August 30, with a prize fund of £1,925. There is a big carrot for whoever progresses to the first qualifying round, with a glamourous trip to King’s Lynn Town awaiting the winners.
The FA Vase has served up a Lincolnshire clash, with the Tigers drawn at home to UCL Division One outfit Blackstones on October 14 (prize fund £800).
On the draws, Chand added: “The FA Cup draw is a good one. There’s the possibility of two derbies against Boston Town and King’s Lynn.
“You’d imagine that 1,000 people would be there if we can get through to face Lynn, so that’s got to be the aim for us.
“Blackstones is a decent draw for us in the Vase. We’ll be favourites, but will take nothing for granted.”
Holbeach kick off their UCL Premier Division campaign at Peterborough Northern Star on Sunday, August 3 (11am).
