ECCLESHILL United manager Lee Elam says his side are well-prepared for the new season, and hopes their good run pre-lockdown will count for something going forward.

The Eagles won six of their last eight games before the season was suspended, as a transitional side started to click.

With those players retained, and some new faces, Elam expects some good football down at the Mitton Group Stadium in 2020/21.

He said: “Last season, we had a few that left and we brought a few in, so we were rebuilding. It was about getting the players in that I wanted and seeing what players fitted.

“But at the end, the squad was settled and we got on a good run of winning games. All of the squad has returned and we’ve added Sam (Bradley) in defence and Luke Aldrich up front.

“I played with Sam at Albion so I know he’s capable of doing well and we’ve brought Luke in from Albion. I’d had my eye on him for a while, and he seems a good lad from what I’ve seen in training and speaking to him.

“We’ve got two or three on trial that we’re hoping to bring in too. We’re good value for money and have brought in who we want and what we need to do well.

“We can take heart from the fact we were in great form before lockdown, but we have had that big break and need to find that again. But with the squad as it is, it shouldn't be too long before we get that back.”

Elam confirmed that Eccleshill are well underway with their pre-season preparations, which start with a game against Steeton on August 1, a friendly with Farsley Celtic on August 8, followed by another with Pontefract Collieries the following weekend, as well as a midweek game with Field.

It is going well off the pitch too, with Elam saying: “The training pitch has been good and we’ve looked after that.

“Down at the stadium it is looking great, we’ve done some work there, everyone’s got involved and the pitch is looking good, thanks to our groundsman Nick Hird.

“We want a good pre-season, with a good surface for good football, to get ourselves in good shape for the season.

“Hopefully the lads will be able to do the talking on the pitch.”