[21 AUG 98]
NON-LEAGUE FOOTBALL NEWS
Atherstone United
- Pre-season PreviewAtherstone
United's manager Ron Bradbury hopes to push his North Warwickshire side closer to the top
of the Dr Martens Premier Division, but he is not too optimistic.
They finished 9th last season, but Bradbury was in
pessimistic mood about his club's chances.
"It will take a minor miracle to improve on ninth
place," he said gloomily.
Maybe his pessimism is coloured by the fact that he has
signed only two new players for the coming campaign.
He has drafted in Coleshill Town goalkeeper Craig Glover
and Steve Woodfine, a central defender who can also play midfield. Woodfine is serving in
the Royal Air Force but is now stationed close to Atherstone.
Bradbury has let go last season's goalkeeper Rich Williams
to local rivals Nuneaton Borough and midfielder Robin Judd who has signed for Sutton Town.
United face a difficult start to the season. They travel to
South Wales to play Merthyr Tydfil, where former Coventry City and Scotland winger Tommy
Hutchison played until a few years ago.
"Merthyr finished second in the league last season and
must start favourites to win the championship this time," says Bradbury.
Atherstone's start is made tougher by the fact that after
their long journey back to North Warwickshire they have only a 24 hours break before their
first home match against Ilkeston Town at Sheepy Road.
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