New Woodford United manager Mark O'Callaghan is not letting the grass grow under his feet and has spoken to more than 20 prospective players already this month.
Last season's award winners Matt Finlay, Ross Harris and Tom Fountain are all expected to turn up for pre-season training, which will incorporate half a dozen friendly matches in July and August.
Outgoing Byfield Road boss Phil Mason nominated tal
ented goalkeeper Finlay as his player of the year, while the players themselves voted for reliable central defender Harris.
The club's supporters backed local lad Fountain and O'Callaghan is hopeful of holding onto all three trophy winners.
Young player of the year Craig Hyde will also be available again.
Experienced midfield man Paul Lamb is expected to move to Corby Town, but "Curly" O'Callaghan will bring in up to half a dozen players from his Coventry stamping ground.
"A couple of the would-be recruits already have Southern League experience," said O'Callaghan. "Another two operate at Step Five level in the Midlands Alliance, whilst two more might make the big step up from the Midland Combination.
"I want players who are hungry to compete," added the man at the helm, who takes an even more pragmatic approach than Woodford's hard-working
chairman, Andy Worrall.
Worrall hopes to see the Reds finish outside the bottom six in the Midlands Division next season.
O'Callaghan's stated aim is merely to, "stay in the league."
That in itself would be no mean achievement given Woodford's limited players'
budget.
"Curly" has spoken to Bedworth United's Scott McGregor and has a useful
striker up his sleeve in former Scottish Schoolboys international Jimmy Graham, who was once on Leicester City's books.
Graham has scored more than 50 goals for Southam United but his efforts were curtailed by injury last season.
Another useful recruit would be Luke Cole, who earned a man of the match award against Leamington when borrowed from his local club Stockton.
Pre-season friendlies have been arranged already against Coventry Sphinx, Southam, Daventry Town, Ardley, Hook Norton and Brackley Town.
In the FA Cup preliminary rounds, Woodford will be joined by Long Buckby, Daventry Town and even Daventry United if the FA allows a UCL Division One club to participate.
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