Housham wants to add new faces

The Blues chief has already signed youngsters Josh Wilde and Terry Hawkridge while experienced defender Greg Youngs became the latest addition to the squad when he joined from Alfreton Town a fortnight ago.

But Housham insists there are still areas of the squad he would like to strengthen before the new Blue Square Bet North season kicks off on 18th August.

He told the Standard: “We have got a squad of 16 players signed now and I’m looking for between 18 and 20 players.”

“We’ve spoken to a few more players and although I never like to mention names before they have signed on the dotted line, whoever does come in has to be right for Gainsborough Trinity Football Club.”

“The club won’t be held to ransom with a player. I’m a bit of an old school manager in that respect where I want to bring in players who want to play for this football club and not come for the money.”

“We are an ambitious club going forward so we’re going to bide our time with players and wait and see what comes along.”

The club returned to pre-season training on Monday evening following the last season’s play-off final heartbreak against Nuneaton Town and Housham wants his side to improve on their fourth-placed finish last term.

The former Brigg manager has announced a tough pre-season schedule where Trinity will take in no fewer than 10 friendly fixtures starting with a trip to Northern Counties East League outfit Bottesford Town on 7th July.

But it will give Housham and his assistant Lee Warren the chance to run the rule over several trialists as well as developing the club’s new youth set-up.

Housham added: “Pre-season is probably the worst time of the year as a footballer but the lads have all come back in good shape and it’s good to get the first session out of the way.”

“There is a buzz around the place again, it is a long pre-season but we need to be ready for what lies ahead of us.”

“I always started pre-season early when I was at Brigg and I wanted to get everybody back here after the bitter disappointment of missing out in the play-off final last year.”

“(The friendlies) will give me a chance to have a look at a few things and there is no better fitness than playing in football matches.”

“We’ll be running the rule over a few trialists and we’re also running an Under 18s side this year so some of them will be involved in the games too.”

New to the Blue Square North this season will be Northern Premier League conquerors Chester, Bradford Park Avenue, Brackley Town and Oxford City and the Blues boss is expecting another tough campaign.

“We were the fourth best team in the Conference North last year and I want to do better than I did last year,” he said.

“My aim is to get higher than fourth and go one step further.”

“It is going to be another tough year but I am confident in my mind that I can get these players better than fourth.”

“It will take hard work and it will be another rollercoaster ride of a season again but the players know my targets and the chairman’s targets.”

“The fans will expect more now and I want to bring them more joy.”

“It will be great to see more crowds on the Northolme like we did last year and hopefully I can bring them back this year.”

The Football Conference have confirmed that fixtures for the 2012/2013 Blue Square Bet North season will be released on Monday 2nd July.