Holwell Sports prepare for Tulips test as Miller looks to bring in six

Holwell Sports will test themselves against Spalding United as part of their busy pre-season schedule.

The Tulips, who play in the Northern Premier League South East Division, will visit Welby Road for a friendly on Thursday, August 6, one of seven warm-up matches currently being announced by the club.

“We had some good conversations before lockdown started and that meant we could pencil in a few games,” said Sports boss Neil Miller.

“They range from step seven teams up to Northern Premier League.

“Everyone is keen to come out and watch some football at grassroots level again, so we’re really keen to get that one on.

“It’s nice to get a big team like Spalding United. It’ll bring a nice crowd out to celebrate football coming back.”

Other confirmed friendlies will see Sports host ICA Sports on August 1 and travel to Ashby Ivanhoe on August 8 as pre-season matches will be allowed to begin next month.

This week the Football Association announced clubs can return to full contact training for groups of up to 30, with friendlies and festivals allowed to take place in August and league and cup fixtures set to begin in September.

Miller welcomed the news: “We’ve had around four weeks worth of social distancing, non-contact training, adhering to the guidelines. The lads have been keeping fit themselves, which is good.

“The same as everyone else in the pyramid, they are eager now to get back. We’re absolutely delighted.”

Some members of the Sports squad have been unable to link up with their teammates due to the Leicester lockdown.

However, Miller confirmed that all of last season’s squad want to be involved for the upcoming United Counties League Division One campaign, while there may also be some new additions.

“We’ve been able to keep everybody in the squad we had from last year,” the manager added. “The only one really we have a concern about is Ross Dunlop, and that is purely work related.

“Everybody from the squad we have has committed.

“We have a few chats (with other players). None of those will come about until the restrictions on Leicester have been lifted.

“We’re hoping to have six new faces come in for the new season to give us a little more strength in depth.”