Lichfield City manager Ivor Green is hoping that his side can bring back their “family feel” during their upcoming schedule of preseason friendlies.
City’s 2024-25 campaign will kick off tomorrow at the Trade Tyre Community Stadium, as they welcome Hinckley AFC in the first of seven pre-season fixtures.
The 2023/24 Midlands Football League Premier Division runners up will take to the field at 2pm tomorrow for the first time since May, when they lifted their second J.W. Hunt Cup title in as many years at the coveted Molineux Stadium.
Adding to their J.W. Hunt Cup glory, last season saw Lichfield reach new heights in both league and cup competitions: including a highest ever league finish in step five football, their furthest ever run in the FA Vase, and a fantastic Walsall Senior Cup run that saw them lose out to National League North Rushall Olympic on penalties in the semi-final.
The city-side will now prepare to build upon last season’s success, with an exciting lineup of preseason fixtures against high quality opposition, following a busy transfer window.
Speaking on their pre-season schedule, Green expressed his desire to further build a “family feel” to the squad, that has been an integral part of the team’s identity during his tenure.
Green said: “In the four years that I’ve been here, I think this is the highest number of changes we have had to make to the squad: so, there’s a lot of hard work that must go into getting that understanding and togetherness back again.
“We’ve come back into training having fun straight away, and all the players that have stayed on have made the new boys welcome.
“Although the lads will get to know each other in training, there’s nothing that beats being on the pitch together in a competitive game. We are hoping that we can gel as quickly as possible, and the quicker we can that family feel, we can have a united group again that’s ready to go.”
Green also discussed the quality of opposition that his side will face in their pre-season schedule.
“In friendlies you never take too much from the result. It’s a chance for the players to get fit and see where they are – and the best way to do that is by playing against players at a higher level.
We believe we’re picking a team good enough to be a step four side, but so do a dozen other teams in the division and that’s the way it will always be in such a tough league.
“The reality is that we’re here to enjoy our football, and we want to create an environment where everyone can be at their best with a smile on their face. Yet, the challenge for us is to be as competitive as we possibly can be and I’m sure we will be.”
Following tomorrow’s test against Hickley, Lichfield will host two more fixtures within the next week at the Trade Tyre Community Stadium.
Lichfield will take on Gresley Rovers this Tuesday night, before welcoming Coleshill on next Saturday (13th July).
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