NEW Chorley boss Ken Wright has spent a busy summer wheeling and dealing in the wake of the Magpies' relegation to the UniBond First Division.

A total of 11 players have quit the club following the acrimonious departure of former boss Dalton Steele and the Victory Park faithful may have to be patient as their replacements take time to gel.

But Wright is confident his new men have enough quality to make an impact in the unfamiliar surroundings of the First Division, starting with tomorrow's home game against newly-promoted Ossett Town.

"It's been difficult with so many people coming and going but I'm feeling more optimistic about things now," said Wright.

"In circumstances like this, people often say it takes time for people to blend together.

"But if you've got good players then they'll adapt and that's what I'm hoping these lads will do."

IN: Graham Hill (Leigh), Stuart Parkinson (Lancaster), Jon Senior (Radcliffe), Eric Rostron (Leigh), Neil Mitchell (Fleetwood), Ian Barker (Mossley), Paul Allen (Radcliffe), Damian Corcoran (Bamber Bridge), Keith Evans (Leigh), Mark Simms (Rhyl).

OUT: Eddie Hussin (Marine), Winfield Steele (Stalybridge), David Clegg (Droylsden), Steve Shaughnessey (Trafford), Steve Jones (Leigh), Darren Quick (Winsford), Steve Aspinall (Bamber Bridge), Paul Higginbotham (Winsford), Gary Thomas, Colin Lambert and Steve Eyre.

GREAT HARWOOD boss Denis Underwood may have to play himself in goal at home to Bootle tomorrow following the shock departure of Andy Johnson.

Johnson has joined UniBond First Division outfit Ashton United and the timing of the move has left Underwood with a major headache.

"Finding a keeper is always difficult because you can't just throw anyone in to have a look at them," said Underwood, who is still reeling after losing Neil Kennedy and Paul Whalley to

Clitheroe.

"You tend to find all the decent keepers have been snapped up early on but I've still got a few irons in the fire.

"Hopefully, though, we can carry on from where we left off at the back end of last season."

f=Zurich BT s=6 l=6.5f+bf-bf+bf-bo RAMSBOTTOM UNITED manager Ken Bridge won't let the problems with the club's Riverside pitch upset his side's start to the new season.

A sewage leak has meant United must play their first six First North Western Trains League First Division fixtures away from home, starting with St Helens tomorrow, but Bridge is still confident his men can cope.

"The problems with the pitch have completely destroyed our pre-season build up but these things happen in football and you've just got to get on with it.

"It's not ideal playing our first six games away but then our away record was better than our home one last season, so I'm sure we'll cope."

f=Zurich BT s=6 l=6.5f+bf-bf+bf-bo NELSON need to find a killer instinct if they want to become genuine title-contenders according to player-boss John Bailey as they prepare to entertain Oldham Town.

The Blues were dogged by inconsistency last season and Bailey believes they need to develop a ruthless streak if they want to turn pressure into points.

The return of quick-silver striker Mark Robinson after a spell with Great Harwood should help, and Ian Fleming is back after 12 months out through injury.

"We let so many points slip last season because we couldn't kill teams off," said Bailey.

"But Mark Robinson is a great addition and we've got better as the pre-season has gone on."

f=Zurich BT s=6 l=6.5ACCRINGTON Stanley boss John Coleman has made his 12th signing of the summer ahead of their game at Lincoln United tomorrow.

Flying winger Russell Payne has moved to the Crown Ground from Congleton and the Reds boss is delighted at the way his squad is taking shape.

"It's all going to plan at the moment. "If anything, we've probably had too many pre-season games but I needed to have a good look at the lads left over from last year.

"A lot of players have come in because you need a big squad in this league but the Board have backed me and we've now got enough strength in depth."

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