ENCOURAGED by the performance of several members of his under-18s team in his club’s opening pre-season friendly, Shawbury United manager Dave Richards insists he is looking forward to the new season.

It has been a tough spell for the Shropshire club, after a campaign which ended in relegation from the Midland Football League (MFL) and a controversial points penalty for fielding three ineligible players, but Richards says he is aiming high as the club returns to the Premier Division of the West Midlands Regional League (WML).

“If we sign the ten senior players that have committed, I imagine we’ll be up there,” said the Shawbury boss. “If you lose those senior players – and I’m seeing text messages flying around about the money on offer elsewhere – it’s a different ball game. But as we are now – with the back-up of the under-18s – we at least want to be in the top four or five of the West Midlands Prem, although if teams come in and start throwing money at it, you might slip a few places.”

United started pre-season in encouraging style on Saturday, with a 2-2 draw against a Worcester City XI – albeit against a visiting side weaker than Richards had been expecting.

Former Telford United winger Armando Wood put the hosts ahead and 17-year-old Archie Pugh restored United’s lead after City had equalised, with the visitors claiming an equaliser late on after several changes to the home team.

Richards is performing a rebuilding operation after seeing goalkeeper Ian Havard and midfielder Keanu Cooper join MFL side Westfields, utility player Matthew Ballard join Northern Premier Market Drayton Town, forward Ben Cullen join WML rivals Shifnal Town, defender Owen Lloyd fielding interest from MFL AFC Wulfs and North West Counties side FC Oswestry Town, and with fellow stopper Adam Grew having stepped down two levels to join Church Stretton Town.

And with the club again having no playing budget as they prepare to move into a new home for the 2019-20 season, the United boss says attracting players can be problematic.

“I’ve met seven or eight players who are signed up with West Midlands Premier, Division One and Division Two sides,” said Richards. “After I explain Shawbury’s plans, they show me text messages from other managers who have offered them £30-50 per game.

“Lads aren’t interested in playing at the highest level any more. One showed me a text and said ‘if you can’t match that or are unwilling to pay me, there’s no point having this conversation’.”

United continue their pre-season programme tonight [Thursday] at home to a Telford United XI (ko 7.45pm) in a match which was billed as a Shropshire Senior Cup semi final from last season but has been re-designated the Huddersfield Cup final.

Shawbury host Southern League Bromsgrove Sporting on Saturday (ko noon) and take on West Midlands League Division Two outfit Rock Rovers at Harper Adams College on Wednesday (ko 7pm).