The dawn of a new season is starting to arise from out of the ground after a summer break but before the main event can get underway, the pre-season preparations are on the cards as a full schedule of fixtures over July awaits us before we go again in the Southern Football League Division One South!
Swaps have been made across the divisions as a whole new set of teams enters the division. Coming down from the Premier Division are Swindon Supermarine, Frome Town & Winchester City who will be looking to bounce back quickly after their relegations. Coming into the division are Brixham, Hartpury University, Portishead Town & Sporting Club Inkberrow to shake up the pack.
A summer of change at Silver Street was expected with departures out of Mid Devon but also arrivals into the Stan Robinson with a trio making their way out as striker Fin Rooke headed onto Southern Premier side Taunton Town and making their way across the M5 and over into Tiverton was keeper George Burton and young striker Jacob Wellington.
However, what must come out must go back in as Rovers added five new signings to the squad. First came Tom Bath from Exmouth Town who returns after several seasons away from the Street to provide an attacking threat to our front line after a successful season with the Town last year. A massive coup for Rovers also followed with former loanee Bailey Kempster making his stay much more permanent after several loan spells at Willand which will hopefully get the white and black army out of their seats next year.
Then came 3 signings in one day. Andrew Sowden-Bird swooped in to stand between the sticks going into the new campaign with some reinforcements towards the top end with the pitch as we copped Jordan Copp & Rikki Shepherd who will provide some further experience within the squad to bolster our chances going into another season in the eighth tier.
The lads return to training this week ahead of next Friday’s opening pre-season game where South West Peninsula League East side Bishops Lydeard AFC will host David Steele’s men to kick off the preparations with the ball rolling from 7:30 up at Darby Way.
The lads then return to Silver Street the following Friday 11th July with Taunton Town making a visit to the village with another 7:30 pm KO as several returning faces make their way back, Western League Wellington visit us on the 16th July too with The Tangerines providing another midweek test for us.
Then it’s a little local derby to be contested on Saturday the 19th July as Tiverton Town head over to the Street with another handful of familiar faces heading back to Willand for a 3 pm clash hopefully in the summer sun as the lads continue to kick on with a strong test against a Tivvy side who have made a few changes from last year.
Our only second away fixture in the calendar see’s us make the trip up the M5 to Fairfax Park on the 22nd July with a 7:30 pm KO where we take on Western League side Bridgwater United who have had a transformative summer and a great test before we conclude our list of fixtures with South West Peninsula League East side Honiton Town coming to The Stan Robinson on Monday 28th July with another 7:30 pm KO.
All fixtures are subject to change, but we hope to see you at as many fixtures as possible with Dave and the lads always appreciating your support before another campaign in the Southern League Division One South where we will be travelling further than ever for our games.
Season tickets remain on sale for our upcoming campaign in the Div One South with the Earlybird price available before 1st of July for £166 this season for Adults & £112 for concessions. All home pre-season friendlies will be included in the ticket if you purchase before the deadline.
To apply for your season tickets simply email the club secretary at willandroversfc@outlook.com and an application form will be sent to you. Alternatively, you can pick one up from the club or click on the link below.
drive.google.com/file/d/1WxyNyY
Please return your form to the club with the appropriate payment; we will then process your payment and notify you when your season ticket will be ready for you to collect from the club.
We hope to see you at our pre-season fixtures at some point during the next month, Our league game schedule will be available within the next month too and we will endeavour to let supporters know of those fixtures once we have them.
