Training is back under way at Spalding United as the Tulips prepare for life in the Southern League Premier Division Central, following last season’s promotion and switch from the Midland Division of the Northern Premier League.
Manager Elliot Sandy is delighted with the progress being made by the club and is keen to get the ball rolling on a new campaign.
He said: “I’ve been looking forward to getting back. When you have such a successful season as last season you don’t want it to stop.
“To be fair, it hasn’t really stopped for the management team. We’ve been working so hard to build on what we’ve already got. We’ve got an amazing squad already, some top, top players. There’s just a few key areas we wanted to strengthen. Of course we lost a couple of players along the way, that’s always going to happen, but we’re in a really good place right now. We’re just looking forward to getting going.
“We had a successful season last year and I said to the boys when they came back for pre-season training that it all starts again with a clean slate.
“We want to be successful again and we need to work hard but enjoy it along the way. Once we step over that white line it’s 100 per cent effort.”
Sandy is pleased with the Tulips’ warm-up programme and delighted at the calibre of opposition lined up for his charges.
“It shows how far the club’s come, from people working behind the scenes and the lads on the pitch, that we’re getting big teams to come. That’s testimony to the club and how far we’ve come. We’re relishing the challenge but will need to be fit to chase those boys around.”
Spalding are expecting full houses for their pre-season programme.
To ensure fans get the chance to see Sandy’s new-look team in warm-up action, they are being urged to buy their tickets in advance.
A club spokesman said: “We are anticipating large crowds. However, should capacity not be reached, tickets will be sold on the day.”
Tickets are £10 (concession £5, children £3, under-11s free) for the matches against Boston United (Saturday, July 13, 3pm), Peterborough United (Tuesday, July 16, 7.45pm), Rotherham United (Saturday, July 20, 3pm) and Macclesfield (Tuesday, July 30, 7.45pm).
Online ticket prices include an additional booking fee (50p adult, 30p concessions and children), which is the charge to the Tulips for the use of online bookings and e-tickets.
To buy your tickets in advance, visit the https://tinyurl.com/TulipsPS24 web page.
Meanwhile, the Tulips are seeking a training match next Tuesday, July 9. Ideally it needs to be on their opponents’ ground and to consist of three 30-minute periods.
Any clubs interested should contact co********@sp************.net or call/text 07921 699072.
p Pinchbeck United, who started their pre-season campaign against Sleaford Town at Glebe Field on Wednesday, have been drawn at home to Eaton Socon in the preliminary round of the Hinchingbrooke Cup.
The tie is due to be played before September 30, with the winners at home to Baldock Town before October 31.
