Boss Mitchell only concentrating on Doughboys' matters on the pitch

The Doughboys get the new season under way with a home clash against Stotfold in the extra preliminary round of the FA Cup tomorrow (Saturday).

But their pre-season has been overshadowed by the news that they could be forced to vacate their Dog & Duck home at the end of the season – a situation that officials have admitted will put the club’s future in jeopardy.

However, boss Mitchell, who led the club to safety after a battle against the drop in the ChromaSport & Trophies United Counties League last season, is concentrating on his job and hoping to get off to a good start this weekend.

“We have got a job to do and we will get on with it,” Mitchell said.

“We won’t be getting involved in the politics, we will leave that to the joint-chairmen and the committee.

“All we want to concentrate on is the on-field matters and that’s the first-team and the youth set-up, which we have been getting involved in.

“Pre-season has been good. We have been working on tactics and fitness and the boys are ready.

“I was a bit concerned that we are starting with the FA Cup but we will be doing all we can to get through and if we don’t, we can concentrate on the league straight away.

“Stotfold have always been a decent side, even when they were in the UCL. But we are ready and waiting and hopefully we will get through.”

The Doughboys’ league campaign starts with a home game against Eynesbury Rovers next Tuesday night.

Chris Bradshaw is expecting a “very tough game” as Desborough Town’s campaign starts with an FA Cup extra preliminary round clash at Tring Athletic.

Ar Tarn’s ChromaSport & Trophies United Counties League Premier Division season will get under way at Kirby Muxloe on Tuesday night.

But for the time being, the focus is on the FA Cup and Boss Bradshaw believes his players are ready to get the season going.

“I am looking forward to it,” he said.

“I do think it’s wrong that the FA Cup is our first game of the season but it is the same for almost everyone and we will be ready.

“I think it’s something like eight seasons in a row that Desborough have been drawn away from home at this stage and I am expecting a very tough game.

“I think we are ready, there are a couple who will miss out which is disappoining but it’s that time of year when lads with families go on their holidays.

“It’s tough because there are a lot of games early on.

“In the higher levels, I think players try to work their holidays around football but that’s not something that can always happen at our level.

“But it won’t stop us from trying to get off to a good start.”

A new era at Rothwell Corinthians gets under way this weekend as they start their campaign with an FA Cup extra preliminary round clash at Crawley Green on Sunday (3pm).

Shaun Sparrow has been joined in the Sergeants Lawn dugout with Jim Scott with the pair now being joint-managers of the ChromaSport & Trophies United Counties League Premier Division outfit.

Sparrow insists they are “very happy” with the way their partnership has started during pre-season, although he has described the scheduling for the new campaign which starts with FA Cup action as “farcical”.

“It has been good, Jim has a wealth of experience and he has a lot of good qualities and I think we are both very happy with how it has gone so far,” Sparrow said.

“Unfortunately, our preparations haven’t been ideal because we, like many others I’m sure, have been hit by the holiday season and injuries already.

“But we are working with a bigger squad than last season, there is certainly a larger pool of first-team players.

“We start with the FA Cup, which I think is a bit farcical because it’s one of the most important tournaments and the first game in it is happening before things really settle down.

“But we have to go there and play the game that is in front of us.

“We don’t really know what to expect but they were promoted last season and I am sure they will be going into this one on the crest of a wave.

“We will prepare as best we can and it will be up to the players to go out there and find a way to win the game because that’s all that matters in cup football.”

Corinthians’ league season starts with a home clash against Harborough Town next Wednesday.