Despite losing the majority of last season’s squad, Belper Town manager Andy Carney says that supporters could be pleasantly surprised when the new campaign kicks off on 21 August.

Only six players from last season’s senior squad have currently committed themselves to the Nailers, which means it will be a dramatically different Belper team that will compete in the newly named Evo-Stik Division One South.

No less than ten of last season’s squad have moved on with Lee Stevenson (Eastwood Town), Anthony Wilson (Alfreton Town), Adam Ogden (Stocksbridge PS), Mickey Harcourt (Glapwell), Richard Haigh (Stocksbridge PS), James Colliver (Worksop Town), Dean Oliver (Glapwell) and Ryan Hindley all leaving, whilst Tom Naylor has returned to Mansfield Town after a very successful year season-long loan at Christchurch Meadow.

But Matt Telling was probably the biggest loss as far as Andy Carney was concerned but he had to accept that his highly rated midfield player had been tempted away by very a lucrative offer from Glapwell.

Meanwhile, Jon Froggatt is currently on his honeymoon so the Club will have to wait to see if he plans to stay at Christchurch Meadow or move on.

A different style of football is being promised for next season with pace and strength being the qualities that Andy Carney (pictured) reckons could see his new look side challenging for the play offs once again.

“We came very close to getting promotion at the end of the 2008/09 season and then fell just short again last April, so it was obvious that the current squad hadn’t been good enough”, he explained.

“It was time for a clear out and for me to take a fresh look at what was needed and it will be a totally new look team for this coming season.”

“Mark Barnard, Richard Adams, Andy Rushbury, Luke Fedorenko and Ollie Warren are in the squad for the new season whilst Simon Mirfin has returned to training almost two stone lighter and looking very fit, so he is also in my plans.”

“Winger, Lee Warriner and talented full back, Aaron Pride are also expected to join Ollie Warren and make the step up from last season’s successful Reserve side.

“With regard to the new faces, Italian born Alessandro Barcherini has signed from Carlton Town and he is a goalkeeper who is at least as good as Adam Ogden – and probably better. We have also secured the signature of Ali’s former team mate, Justin Jenkins, who is a powerful striker and who has a proven goal scoring record in non-league football.”

Meanwhile, other players arriving at Christchurch Meadow are highly-rated striker, Nathan Benger from Matlock Town and former Hallam front man, Chris Wood who has moved from Glapwell.

With regard to the wide areas of the pitch, winger Dave Barnett has joined from Nuneaton Borough whilst he is studying at Nottingham University and former Boston United flyer, Nathan Swindells has signed for the club from Parkgate FC, having tasted Football League experience with the Pilgrims.

In defence, long term central defensive target, Matt Plant has joined from Ossett Town whilst right back, Ryan Booker has made the considerably shorter journey from Central Midlands League side, Sutton Town AFC.

Lee Thompson, a former Football League utility player with Boston United has also put pen to paper for the Nailers whilst old favourite Asa Ingall has returned to Christchurch Meadow for another stint with the club.

Carney is also thought to be close to signing another experienced forward, a central midfield player together and some goalkeeping cover for Ali Barcherini.He expects to have made no less than 14 new signings before the start of the coming season, with some of those will be on view in this Saturday’s first pre-season game at Parkhouse FC (a) 3.00pm.

The new Evo-Stik Division One South team line up sees five new clubs replace those who left at the end of last season. The outgoing clubs are Mickleover Sports (Champions), Chasetown (play off winners), Willenhall Town (relegated), with Witton Albion and Cammell Laird both switching to Division One North.

Incoming clubs are Barwell, Newcastle Town, Rainworth Miners Welfare, Romulus and Sutton Coldfield Town. There are five new clubs but only four new destinations for Belper supporters because Romulus and Sutton Coldfield ground share at Sutton’s Coles Lane ground.

The FA Cup and Trophy draws have been kind to Belper Town in as much as the first two rounds in each competition have been drawn at home.

Intriguingly, there is a strong possibility that the Nailers could face a rematch with Holbrook Sports (formerly Miners Welfare) if the East Midlands Counties League side overcome Sleaford Town in the Extra Preliminary Round. The tie will take place at Christchurch Meadow on Saturday 28 August.


A home tie against either Loughborough Dynamo or Shepshed Dynamo awaits the winners on 11 September.

Belper’s dismal FA Trophy record could be set to improve after the Nailers were drawn at home to Harrogate Railway Athletic on 2 October then the winners would face Ossett Albion or Salford City on 16 October.

The Nailers start their pre-season campaign at Parkhouse FC this coming Saturday and here is a full run down of all Belper Town’s pre-season games.

Saturday, 17th July (3.00) - Parkhouse (Away)
Thursday, 22 July (7.30) - Sutton Town AFC (Away)
Saturday, 24 July (2.00) – Armthorpe Welfare (Away)
Tuesday. 27 July (7.45) – Shirebrook Town (Away)
Saturday, 31st July (3.00) - Boston United (Home)
Tuesday, 3rd August (7.30) - Derby County XI (Home)
Saturday, 7th August (3.00) - Matlock Town (Home)
Saturday, 14th August (3.00) – Ossett Albion (Away)