STEETON manager Roy Mason says his side is set to make at least four or five signings during the summer as they gear up to start their pre-season friendly programme this weekend.

The Chevrons returned for pre-season training after a nine-week break last week as they gear up for the big kick-off in the North West Counties League Division One North on Saturday, July 29.

Steeton are yet to find out their opponents on the season’s opening day as they await the fixture list announcements for the 2023-24 term.

 

But they will prepare for the start of the season this weekend when they host Campion at Marley Stadium on Saturday, July 1 (kick-off 3pm).

Long-serving Mason joked that he must be mad as he prepares for his 18th season in charge of Steeton.

Mason said: “We have a number of new signings which we will be announcing over the next few weeks. We have a few players coming in. We have four or five coming in and we will be strengthening the squad.

“We have had quite a reasonable pre-season break this year. Our season finished at the end of April. Everyone is ready.

“As a club, we have progressed. It’s exciting that we have had continual progression. The club is going onwards and upwards. That has got to be the aim each season too. We have achieved things that we never dreamed of.

“Pre-season games are hard to predict in how they will go. For both sides (Steeton and Campion this Saturday), they will use the opportunity to give triallists a run.

“By the time we play on Saturday we will have only had four pre-season training sessions back. Lads will play 45 minutes.”

 

Steeton have announced a number of players have signed up to remain at the club for the new season.

These include midfielder Josh McKiernon, who previously played for Silsden.

Fellow midfielder Jake Townsend has also signed up for another 12 months at Steeton after he signed for the club in 2020.

Goalkeeper James Catlow has also committed to the club, after signing up for another 12 months for the Chevrons.

Meanwhile, Mason says he could not stand in the way of his star striker and club captain after he left Steeton earlier this month.

Andy Briggs, who scored 35 goals for the Chevrons last season, left the club to join Bury FC.

Mason says he wished Briggs good luck and is already working on replacements for him up front for the forthcoming campaign. Mason added he is also looking to strengthen the squad in the central defender department.

Mason added: “They are big boots to fill with a like-for-like replacement for Andy. I’m not sure at this stage.

“We may have to go with a slightly different system this year. As a team, we create a lot of goals.”

Steeton has already discovered their early season opponents in two cup competitions.

In the Macron Cup, they will face newly-promoted Route One Rovers.

The Edward Case First Division Challenge Cup, Steeton will travel to fellow Division One North side, Holker Old Boys.