WITH the sun barely set on the longest day of the year, pre-season training for the new football season is just days away.

Last season's Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division champions London Colney will still be around to defend their title, choosing not to go up to the Ryman League Division Two, which, after the restructuring, would represent a sideways step.

As it is, they would almost certainly go direct to the Ryman League's first division should they retain their crown. Although Gary Sippetts has gone to St Albans City and Neil Doctor looks set to join Hertford Town, manager Micky Wright has no reason to believe his Cotlandswick outfit will be caught short his reserve team will consist entirely of professional under-19 footballers currently at the Southgate College academy.

The Blue Boys have seven preseason friendlies organised, including a home match with St Albans City on Tuesday, July 23.

Elsewhere, Colney Heath's standing as a Division One side might be upgraded at the league's AGM on Saturday, with speculation surrounding the futures of Greenacres and Letchworth.

There is a dispute regarding Greenacres FC status as Hemel Hempstead Town's feeder team, while Letchworth FC are understood to be in financial difficulties.

Like London Colney, they have also set up a progressive youth system. In association with the Hitchin College, the Magpies have created a two-year FA-approved Under-18 Academy run by former Watford FC and Wales player Malcolm Allen.

About 20 boys have been selected to date, with the Magpies

also hopeful of unearthing a few diamonds to go with two possible signings from the Premier Division.

Friendly fixtures commence with a trip to St Peter's on Saturday, July 20.

Also in Division One, the new Harpenden Town management team of Graham Golds and Gordon Guile expect to confirm the signings of four or five new players in the coming week, while star striker Chris Gregory will resume training with the rest of the squad, although the player will not be able to kick a ball in earnest until September.

Six friendlies have been confirmed, while the club are also hopeful of arranging a date with either St Albans City or Hitchin Town.

Meanwhile, in the re-named World Class Homes Senior League, formerly the Herts Senior County League, Sandridge Rovers have a glamour pre-season fixture at Stevenage Borough on Thursday, July 25.

They will begin the new season with the same crop of players that ended their last campaign, with the single addition of former Met Police striker Chris Cutmore, who netted twice against Rovers last season.

St Peter's, meanwhile, who will again join Rovers in the World Class Homes Senior League, remain in the midst of their centenary year. Still under the management of John Welch, they will be hosting a presentation/barbecue evening on Saturday, July 6. Anyone interested should contact 01727 850 246.

All the above teams begin pre-season on Tuesday, July 3, with the exception of London Colney, who resume the following evening. Each club has invited new players to take part.

June 27, 2002 12:30