Ellesmere Rangers hoping for shock starter

New-look Ellesmere Rangers believe their Midland Alliance rivals are in for a shock as they prepare to launch their campaign at fancied Westfields tomorrow.

New bosses Richard Brown and Richard Gardner have overseen a massive overhaul of the playing squad since replacing Matt Burton at the helm.

Only keeper Dave Maguire, Matt Fletcher, Darren Beech, Dale Williams and Tom Ward remain from the side which narrowly avoided relegation last term. But Brown believes the changes won't necessarily prove a disadvantage.

"We are going to have a squad of 22 or 23 and there won't be many players teams remember from previous years," said Brown.

"Teams are going to be seeing a lot of different faces and could get surprised. We want to finish higher than last season and are certainly looking for a top half finish."

Players who helped Wellington Amateurs to the West Midlands Division One title followed Brown and Gardner, including keeper Ross Bebb, Jordan Jones, George Durrell, Dan Beddows, Andy Rich, Jamie Price, Connor Courtney and Kingsley Brown.

Other additions are James Taylor from Hanwood, Telford-based defender Oliver Hooda and Guilsfield full back Sam Heenan.

Ellesmere have availability problems for the opening day, prompting the decision to sign youth teamers Josh Brown – son of manager Richard, who turned 16 today – and Shawn Melusi.

Bridgnorth have Clayton Johnson and Thomas Southern signed from Shifnal and AFC Wulfrunians respectively, for the campaign start at Coleshill.

Boss Mark Clyde hopes to have Craig Forbes and Will Meredith available regularly after they were hit by injury and illness respectively.

Bridgnorth finished 10th and claimed Shropshire Challenge Cup glory last season, and Clyde says: "We have got our little target in mind, like we did last season, we know why we want to try and do.

"The players and staff have all agreed on that so, fingers crossed, we will go and achieve that."