Chaddy looking good on eve of new season

EXCITING TIMES . . . Chadderton manager Mark Howard

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WITH a clutch of exciting new players in the squad, new sponsors on board and a new pitch currently being new laid, prospects look rosy for Chadderton FC as they gear up for Saturday's Hallmark Security League Division One opener at Carlisle City.

Chaddy boss Mark Howard has lost three pivotal players from last season - Sam Gibson, Lewis Lacey and Matty Crothers - but he has recruited well in return, drafting in Mikey Moss, Craig Schumann (both from Royton Town), Aaron Holton (ex-Curzon Ashton), Dominic Welsby, Tom Hughes and ex-Blackburn prospect Jordan Anderson.

Howard guided Chaddy to ninth in the final table in what was his first campaign in charge at the Ark Fleetech Stadium, but he's looking to finish higher than that in 2017-18, with the play-offs a clear target.

GLAD

Howard said: "I'm really glad we're at the business end of pre-season now. I'm pleased with how the squad looks.

"It's not helped losing some of our top players in the summer, but we're looking good right now.

"We're aiming to push for the top six again this season, and a nice little cup run or two would certainly help with the finances.

"We haven't really prepared all that differently to last summer.

"I've gone with the attitude of 'if it's not broken, why fix it?'

"We'll try to play our football in the right way again, and hopefully that will be enough to get us some positive results.

"I'm hoping we'll gel as a team a lot quicker this time around.

"It was all brand new for me this time last year, and to be honest it took the team until around November before they really got going.

"It would give everyone a boost if we could get off to a decent start. We beat Carlisle home and away last season, so fingers crossed we can get another win on Saturday."

Howard is delighted with the progress being made behind the scenes at Chaddy at present.

The former Royton Town boss said: "The pitch is looking absolutely great so far. That's going to be brilliant when it's finished.

GAMES

"We can't use it until mid-September time so our first couple of home games are being played at the Whitebank Stadium.

"That's not an issue, though. I can't wait until Monday night when we play New Mills there in our first home game.

"We've also got three or four new sponsors in over the summer.

"Mazzo in Royton have been great with us so far. The lads are all coming training in their new clobber and it looks great."

See Friday's Chronicle for a look at Mossley as they gear up for the new Evo-Stik League campaign.