Its midsummer so it must be the pre-season friendlies (From This is Hampshire)

Its midsummer so it must be the pre-season friendlies

10:52am Wednesday 9th July 2008

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WITH ANDOVER luxuriating in the mid summer downpours this weekend, at one end of the county football was taking a tentative toehold on the new season, less than 40 days after the last one ended.

Not so long ago a new Andover football campaign would be heralded with a trial game between the Whites and the Reds or Possibles against the Probables with half the squad missing anyway because cricket went on until the end of September. That eventually morphed into pre-season matches, normally two or at the most three, often against the likes of Bournemouth or Swindon Reserves which was deemed more than enough.

As the years have gone on and the seasons have got closer to merging the lists have got longer and last Saturday, Wessex League Alton Town played Aldershot Town on the first Saturday of July. What was an excellent opportunity to make some money, with the new Shots having made the Football League, was expertly plundered as around 500 attended the Sports Ground. In truth the football was pedestrian but it all helped to put the home club into the spotlight as they face a rocky future.

Their ground which has existed for more than 70 years, is owned by Coors Brewery, it having been the Courage and then Bass Sports Ground. Sadly, the parent company have submitted another application for 150 rabbit hutches to be built on it, thus consigning it to the history books in the same way as Andovarians' beloved Walled Meadow went, around two decades ago. Ironically, next door, Alton United FC thrive, playing on the original Alton Town ground, at Anstey Park and apparently never the twain shall meet'.

At the Portway Andover have organised a long list of friendlies beginning tomorrow with a trip down the road to Wessex League Stockbridge FC, kick-off 3pm. It is the first of a mind-boggling dozen matches, the pick possibly being this Tuesday when Eastleigh are the visitors for Glen Damen's richly-deserved testimonial, kick-off 7.45pm.

The new set up is taking shape both on and off the pitch although many supporters are frustrated at the fixtures being on the missing list until July 15. At the club AGM last week the board line up was rubber stamped with the officers for the forthcoming season proposed by John Smith and seconded by Cathy Devereux, both now major shareholders in the club. The new chairman is John Smith with the club secretary Chris Jeremy. Club treasurer is Chris Robins and Graham Knight remains director of football, having stepped down from the chairmanship.

Martin Mitty is director of youth football with Cathy Devereux as director of Football in the Community Bob Haynes is now operations manager at the club with John Gorman matchday secretary and minutes/press officer and Graham Cousins continues as programme editor.

On the playing front, as published last week, Ian Saunders joins the club to work on the coaching side with Phil Andrews and Steve May under manager Mick Catlin and they will have Cara Pierce as physio.

The cost of both admission and the programme will be unchanged from last season and it is expected that admission to reserve matches will be £2 although the club await guidance from the league.

Season tickets are available covering first team and reserve league matches from Chris Jeremy. The reserve team has been reformed primarily under the youth section in the Hampshire 2004 League.

On the playing front the squad has expanded again with the signing of Gary Connolly who began at Portsmouth and was a regular at Havant and Waterlooville when he played against the Lions in the Hants Senior Cup Final in 2001. The 28-year old attacking full back has also played for Bashley.

Joining him is Neil Champion who began his career at AFC Bournemouth before enjoying several successful seasons at both Aldershot and Havant and Waterlooville. He was at Farnborough last season before going on loan to AFC Totton with whom he gained a Wessex League winners' medal.

Striker Steve Boston has rejoined the club and is now back to full fitness but on the debit front Matt Davies has joined Abingdon United and off the field Geoff Yates has left Andover to take a position at Conference South side Basingstoke Town.

Former chairman Alan Mussell has been offered a position of vice president in recognition of his work for the club over many years.

Andover and Andover New Steet have both received a bye in the first round of the Russell Cotes Cup.

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