NEW Eccleshill United boss Mark Greaves is champing at the bit as the new season draws ever closer.

With pre-season training less than a week away, the Eagles manager is hoping all of his efforts to raise a squad will pay dividends.

After the Toolstation Northern Counties East League Division One outfit and Mark Ellis’ Richmond International Academic and Soccer Academy (RIASA) mutually agreed to end their partnership, the club was left with three players.

Greaves, who was No 2 at Premier Division Liversedge last season, was handed the task of heading up the new era.

He will have some help in his corner as the experienced Sean Regan and former Farsley midfielder Hayden Lobley will be part of his back-room staff.

Greaves said: “It’s a big challenge but I’m looking forward to it.

“It will be big difference with no RIASA involvement but that gives us a blank canvas to work with and that’s the exciting part.

"There are only three players here but Sean and I have been trying to get a new side in.

“Sean has been around this league with Liversedge, Thackley, Shaw Lane (Aquaforce) and other clubs. He has a lot of contacts and he’s been getting in touch with players and putting the word around.

“We’ve planned all of the pre-season training schedules and we’ve arranged a few friendly games. Player recruitment is our main priority now.”

With Greaves and Regan contacting players they have worked with, Lobley is looking to inject some youth into the squad, and all three of the coaching team have had positive feedback.

Greaves added: “Most of the people we’ve spoken to have said they are definitely interested but we can’t sign anyone on officially until the first of next month. That’s when the league opens its registration process.

“Pre-season is going to be open to everyone and it starts next Tuesday at Peel Park (7pm).

"There are plenty of players in the area and we hope to see them.

“We’re hoping Hayden’s contacts help as well. He works as a coach at Leeds College so he’s been asking some of the young lads that he thinks can make it to come and give it a go.

“Sean’s a crucial part of the team but he can’t be around all of the time because of his workload away from the club. That’s why I’ve asked Hayden to come in as an assistant.

“He’s been a good mate of mine for years and a team-mate – we used to play together in the Bradford Sunday Alliance League.”