With the new Ryman league season 4 weeks away, new Fleet Town boss, Steve Mellor has been busy preparing his new squad. His first move was to announce the appointment of Mark Anderson, Paul Harkness and Trevor Norris as 1st team coaches for the 2010/11 season. "That’s a strong team, and since starting pre-season work 4 weeks ago, I’ve been delighted by the progress made," Mellor told the News. "Many of last year's squad have returned, but there's also been many new players involved." The Fleet boss revealed that 20 players have already signed league papers with the Fleet club ahead of their opening league fixture on 21 August. These include Darren Wheeler, Darren Campbell and striker, Dan Read, from last season’s 1st team squad. Also returning to Calthorpe Park are former players, Jamie McClurg and Phil Cousins. Cousins, 23, has been out of football for the past two seasons following a knee injury. Amongst the new faces are mid-fielder, Lee Collier, who was playing Conference South football last season for Bath City, and former Shots defender, Mark Kleboe. Several of the youngsters released by Aldershot at the end of last season have also been attending pre-season at Fleet, including Calum Nimmo and Mike Siemak, both of whom have now signed for the Fleet club. Definitely missing will be Steve Noakes, Ed Smith, James Field and Ty Smith who have all signed for Ryman League South side, Met Police, and Tom Bird, who has moved to Ryman Premier outfit, Kingstonian. Nathan Smart has taken up an offer from Conference South side, Basingstoke Town. Over the next four weeks Mellor’s squad will tackle a programme of friendly matches, starting next Tuesday evening (27 July), away at Sandhurst Town. Amongst other confirmed games at Calthorpe Park are the visit of Ryman Premier side, Ashford Town (7 August) and Ryman North side, Enfield Town (14 August). "There’s still plenty of work to be done before then," Mellor said. "But I’m confident that we’ll be competing strongly for promotion when the new league season begins". | 
