Shaw in positive mood ahead of first friendly

Worksop Town boss Mark Shaw has welcomed his players back for pre-season and says he is happy with the progress being made ahead of the Tigers' first friendly.
Mark ShawMark Shaw
Mark Shaw

Ollerton Town are the hosts next Wednesday night (6th) in the first of 11 pre-season fixtures that will prepare Tigers for the new Toolstation NCEL Premier Division season which starts on August 13.

And Shaw says things are looking positive after the first training sessions last week.

He said: “We started just over a week ago and I am really pleased with the way the players have returned. They are looking fit after their break and they want to work which is encouraging.

“We have a lot to work on. I felt last year we struggled to break teams down whilst also struggling to stop teams completely and gave away too many chances. I do want to work on the way we play so it becomes more repetitive when we come up against teams in the league.”

In terms of personnel, player registrations will be finalised on July 1 with several new faces and trialists set to feature in pre-season alongside those kept on from last season.

Shaw added: “We have got everyone I want to keep. They know what I want and I can trust them, and they also know we failed miserably last season.

“The players that are here are good players and want to succeed.

“I am currently talking to a lot of players and trying to improve the squad. We are looking at players who have been released from pro clubs so hopefully we will find a gem or two.”

Following the Ollerton game, Worksop will then host Lincoln City on Saturday, July 9 at 3pm with Halifax Town the visitors two days later. Handsworth Parramore will host Worksop on Tuesday, July 12.