Newton Poppleford enter the 2014/15 season in great spirits despite a disastrous debut campaign in Division One, writes Jordan Cooper.

The Popples lost every single game, scoring 16 and conceding a staggering 161 games across the season, with relegation confirmed long before the final whistle was blown.

Wiping the slate clean and starting afresh in Division Two, manager Cliff Cooper has a positive mentality despite expectations that the side will once again struggle to match the quality of opposition.

He said: “It was a tough season but we are all motivated to go again and improve ourselves.

“Hopefully we will be able to get in a few more players to give us a boost as there are a few areas where we are playing people out of position every week – we would like a consistent squad each match.”

Pre-season training has started and takes place at 6:30pm on Tuesday and Thursday nights at the playing fields in the village – all players are welcome.

The side have a small four game friendly schedule starting on August 2, against Woodbury ahead of the league opener later in the month.