Sidmouth Town begin their new era this evening (Friday) with their first pre-season action as they take on Wellington at Manstone Lane (7.30pm).

Town boss Richard Pears says: “The lads have worked hared in the two sessions we have so far held and I like what I see. The squad has a good mix of youth and experience and gel well on the training ground so it will be good to see them hopefully put it all into practise in a match situation.”

The former Exmouth Town and Barnstaple Town boss continued: “I don’t doubt that against such quality of opposition as Wellington new will spend a lot of time without the ball, but that’s a good thing in my book as I want us playing against better opposition so that, when the league season kicks-off for us next month we are fully prepared and able to hit the ground running. That is something I am very keen for us to do as I am not the sort to settle for anything like ‘second best’. There’s little bout in my mind that, at Sidmouth Town, we will be kicking off the new league campaign looking to win the division. That’s not brash talk, far from it, I am realist and will keep feet firmly on the ground, but, as I see it, there’s no point in taking part in something unless you do so to try and win!”

Town have a squad of 18 for the game tonight.