AS Accrington Stanley announced a new kit sponsorship deal with Asda, manager Tony Greenwood swooped to sign Chris Blakeman from Vauxhall Conference side Southport.

And with the Crown Ground side forming a reserve team for the new campaign, Greenwood said there will be a lot of new faces turning up for pre-season training next week.

He said: "We have a dozen players with Football League experience coming down for trials next week and are also a close to signing a few new players as well."

Stanley have lined up a string of lucrative pre-season games at the Crown Ground beginning with Preston North End on July 24. Other teams include Bolton (26), Blackpool (30) and Burnley (August 6). GREAT Harwood Town will be looking to strengthen their squad once manager Mick Crabbe returns from holiday next week for the start of pre-season training.

But while Shaun Bursnell and Lee Kennedy left the Showground to join Bamber Bridge in the close season, chairman Bill Holden said the club won't rush into bringing in new blood.

He said: "We have a healthy squad of 15 players and of course we will be looking to make two or three signings - but it won't be a case of just buying anybody." DARWEN'S new manager Steve Wilkes is set unveil up to half a dozen new signings next week when the club reports back for pre-season training on Thursday, July 3.

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