Newark Flowserve ready to make history

Newark Flowserve joint manager Craig Roche said the football club was ready to step up a grade after a productive pre-season.

Flowserve will be playing at step-six after promotion to the East Midlands Counties League — the first club in Newark to play at that level.

They have made two eye-catching signings — Grantham Town first-team regulars Danny Meadows and Tom Potts.

Roche said the new faces were a statement of intent and would help the club be competitive at the higher standard.

“It is massive news and they are two local lads. More importantly, they are quality at the level they have been playing,” he said.

“Tom was with us before going away last season, and played more than 50 games for Grantham.

“He helped them reach the play-offs and has proven himself at a higher level.

“Danny was an apprentice at Nottingham Forest, and played at the likes of Alfreton Town and Boston United in the past.

“It is smashing for us to get a player who has had so much experience. He will be an added bonus.”

Roche said Flowserve hoped to complete more signings this month to ensure the club would be competitive in its first season in the league.

“We are always ambitious, though not too ambitious, and are hoping to build on the season we just had (winning the Notts Senior League Premier Division),” he said.

“We have managed to keep the whole squad from last season and add extra experience to compete at the next level.

“The league we are moving into is going to be tough, but we have some good lads and we are going to make sure we are ready for it.”

The first league matches start in August.

“Mainly pre-season is about getting the lads match-fit and, because we have added only a few players, there will not have to be too much reorganisation,” said Roche.

“There are a few things for us to work on and try out, but we are where we need to be.

“Our friendlies are all against teams at step-six or above so we should learn lessons in those matches rather than on the first day of the season.”

Flowserve’s first pre-season match is at Hemsworth Miners’ Welfare, a week tomorrow, before trips to Sleaford, on July 17, and Ollerton Town, on July 21. Flowserve are at home against Harrowby United on July 28.