Ottery St Mary FC are back in pre-season mode next Saturday (June 25), writes Steve Birley.

The Otters will once again be led by Dave Fairweather and he is very confident about things at Washbrook Meadow.

He says: “Off the pitch the club has begun to really move in the right direction and there’s some terrific positivity coming from the social side. The bar has been open for the England Euro 2016 games and the numbers of folk attending has been really encouraging. Our new bar manager, Jacquie Clark has really fired some serious enthusiasm into the operation.”

In terms of the shape of the Ottery team as a new Macron Devon and Exeter League season approaches (Macron are the new league sponsors), it looks set to be another young side.

Fairweather says: “This is a fresh beginning for all in terms of the football. I am operating on my own and have the full backing of a most supportive committee. That will make it a lot easier for me to instil the sort of pronciples I feel are vital to ensure the well being of a club of our size and standing.”

He continued: “We are going to lose a couple of last season’s squad as they head off to University, but I have been encouraged by the players who have been in touch to say they’d like to come to pre-season training with us. I am confident about the future, though I am fully aware that we may well have to prepare to take the odd step back to make four or five giant steps forward!”

The Ottery AFC Annual General Meeting takes place next Monday (June 20) with a 6.30pm start so that business can be concluded in time for the televised England versus Slovakia match.