The season has only recently finished but preparations for the new season are already underway at Guildford City. Following Steve Dormer’s departure, his assistant Chris Balchin was swiftly named as the man to lead the team into the new season and beyond. Chris has been busy since his appointment planning pre-season and making contact with players old and new.
Yesterday he clinched his first new signing, and an important one at that, when Leatherhead U21 manager Neil Grant agreed to join the club as assistant manager. Neil has been head of U21 football at Leatherhead for two years, and this season the side under his tutelage won the Ryman Development League (South) by a clear 11 points. Prior to that Neil worked at Leatherhead’s burgeoning academy for five years. Neil said of his appointment “There are exciting times ahead, and I am happy to accept the Assistant Manager’s role at Guildford City for next season. Together with Chris plans are already underway”. Manager Balchin responded by saying “I’m pleased to be working with Neil Grant next season. He is a proper football man with the same vision as me.”
Pre-season training starts on 15 June. The first pre-season friendly is against Eversley & California on 8 July, and the first competitive match of the season will be the Extra-Preliminary Round of the FA Cup on 5 August. A full list of pre-season friendlies will be announced shortly.
