After a good few weeks of training the season finally starts on Saturday when The O's make the trip to early season favourites for the title, our friends at Westbury United, before two home games next Wednesday and Saturday against Calne and then Corsham.

It's been an unusual summer but one we have grown used to in the eight years since joining the Toolstation Western League. Having previously finished second and fourth and seen a squad disappear elsewhere as a group this was slightly different as a lot of the team who finished fourth in 2015/16 and did not go up, despite assurances to the contrary, slowly drifted apart during the course of last season rather than in one hit. New manager Scott Armstrong has though brought a breath of fresh air and fresh faces to the club assisted by Ian Milton. We have had in excess of forty players at some training sessions and two players have already turned down approaches from Toolstation Premier Division sides before we have begun showing the quality of players in the squad.

New keeper Chris Manns has been in fine form in pre season, swapping the jersey with Under 18 keeper Luke Wilson so with Olly Fowler and Olly Player also looking for a place between the sticks we have real strength in depth.

New signings at the back include former Bristol Rovers professional Josh Southway, Luke Lecrass, Mason Poole, Reece John and Scott Gregory joining existing squad members skipper Jordan Greenwood, Ash Bernard and Jordan Richards. In midfield, amongst the new faces 'Sham' Sengori has stood out as too has Josh Williams who has returned to the club from Brislington along with several other old and new squad members.

One strength this year promises to be the forward line, The O's have signed Olly Trevarthen from Portishead who will be competing with burly Courtney Charles and Garfield White for the 9 and 10 shirts.

It's been a long summer with lots of activity. Let's get it on now and down to the real business - a new squad so no fancy ambitions but the groundwork has been set for some good solid foundations for the future with the Reserves and new Under 18s group starting serious fixtures next month nto forgetting our succesful Ladies team who have also strengthened their numbers this summer with several good signings.

Up The O's !