United players back in training

8:19am Thursday 3rd July 2008

EVESHAM United's players report back for training tonight just 68 days after being crowned Southern League Division One Midlands champions.

Members of the club's A team have also been invited along and manager Paul West is hoping to run the rule over seven or eight new faces ahead of the new season.

Three players who West will be keen to have a look at are former Redditch midfielder Mark Taylor, ex Chippenham man Tom Etheridge and Liam McDonald who spent a short time with United the season before last.

West had a message for his players ahead of the Premier Division campaign.

"If the attitude of the players isn't right then I won't be holding my breath," the manager admitted. "They have to be 100 per cent focused and if they are looking at something else then they are the players that I want."

Certain players are going to be absent at the start of the new season due to holidays but those that are available at this early stage will have three sessions under the belts before the opening friendly at Pershore Town next Friday (7pm).

Training sessions promise to be varied with swimming and aerobics on the manager's itinerary.

After success in both the FA Cup and FA Trophy last term, the club are exempt until the first qualifying round of the FA Cup, and a possible visit to Leamington, and have been given a home date with Clevedon Town in the Trophy.

Pershore, meanwhile, visit Stratford Town in the FA Cup on August 16 with the winners at home to either Westfields of Gedling MW.

Ian Ford's men are also at home in the FA Vase with a tie against Graham St Prims - a hopeful prelude to another home date with Rothley Imperial.