Tipton St John held their final training session on Wednesday night prior to launching their Fresha League Division One campaign at East Budleigh tomorrow (Saturday).

Dave Strawbridge has a busy first week of the new season as his team also make the short trip to Sidbury United for a local derby next Wednesday (August 28) before playing their first home game a week tomorrow (August 31) with the visit of Alphington.

Strawbridge is confident about the new season, which he hopes will be a lot better than the last campaign.

He said: “We disappointed last year, but many things went against us. I am looking at this season as being the start of the re-building process at the club. This pre-season there’s been an extra yard in the players it seems and there’s a confidence around the club that wasn’t there last term. We have kept the bulk of last years squad but added two or three and I believe that will make us both stronger and more competitive. We also have a number of promising youngsters who have had a year’s experience and they will be better for that. I think one or two of the younger lads will make names for themselves this season.”

Neil Gooding will skipper the side this year.

Strawbridge also revealed just why the pre-season build-up has gone so well.

The Tipton boss said: “We have had Chris Webster running the sessions and he has been a breath of fresh air. He has certainly given us some great ideas that I am looking forward to being put into practice this season.”

He continued: “We have played some very good opposition in the pre-season period and done well against the likes of Beer Albion and Seaton Town, neither of whom gave us a run around and that’s all good for the confidence.”