Re-branded Melton Town FC to play Leicester City Legends in warm-up

When they start life in the United Counties League (UCL) under new manager Tony Thorpe, Melton Mowbray, set up a little over a decade ago by chairman Sam Ellis, will be known as Melton Town.

The name change honours the original town club, formed in 1894, which became defunct in the early 1990s.

Town were a founder member of the Leicester and Northants League which, in a curious twist of fate, is the original name of the UCL.

Ellis said: “We had a vote at our AGM over whether to revert back to Melton Town and it was agreed unanimously.

“It is a nod to the history of the old club and it’s also easier on the tongue.

“When we went to the UCL about it they were very pleased as Town were a founder member of the league.”

Melton will play their first game under their new name on Saturday with a pre-season friendly against Birstall at their Melton Sports Village ground (kick-off 3pm).

They will then travel to Rainworth Miners Welfare on Tuesday for another friendly before hosting Leicester City Legends in a special feature match on Sunday, July 31 (ko 1pm).

The match will officially open the new ground, which they moved to in April, and raise funds for the club. Entry will be £3 and £1 for children.

Town begin their league season on Saturday, August 6, at home to Potton United.

Opening six games – Sat Aug 6 Potton Utd (H); Wed Aug 10 Blackstones (A); Sat Aug 13 Rushden and Higham Utd (H); Sat Aug 20 Raunds Town (A); Wed Aug 24 Oakham Utd (A); Sat Aug 27 Olney Town (A).

* Holwell Sports also discovered their fixtures for the 2016/17 season last week.

They get under way at home to Radcliffe Olympic, also on Saturday, August 6.

Opening six games – Sat Aug 6 Radcliffe (H); Sat Aug 13 Graham St Prims (A); Sat Aug 20 South Normanton Ath (H); Tue Aug 23 Stapenhill (A); Sat Aug 27 Aylestone Park (H); Mon Aug 29 Barrow Town (A).