UPDATE ON LOCAL PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY GAMES

The start of the "pre-season friendly season" is less than two weeks away as many local clubs are in action in preparation of the 2016/17 season proper. Here we look at some of the local games arranged over the next month - please check with clubs before travelling as some pre-season games are moved at the last minute and venues are changed - 

The new look Hertford Town under the new management of Gavin Kelsey travel to East London on Tuesday 12th July to face Essex Senior League Clapton in what should be a well attended game for a pre-season match with some of the Clapton Ultras present. Kelsey has been busy building his squad which is expected to make a challenge for the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division title. Kelsey has signed Reece Buck, Jonah Evans, Tommy Wade (who re-joins Hertford after a year at Hoddy), Glen Draper, Ricky Light, Mark Summers, Ollie Sharman, Dan Ferrigno, Phil Lowen, Jack Barlettt and Ben Andreos from his former club along with Welwyn Garden City defender Jay Lovell. They also face local rival's Ware on Saturday 30th July before travelling to WGC on Tuesday 2nd August for a Hertfordshire Charity Shield game.

Ware return to the Ryman Division One (North) after one season in the Evo Stik Southern League Division One (Central). Managed by ex football league player Ken Charlery they have a number of interesting friendly games arranged at Wodson Park including the visit of teams representing Dagenham and Redbridge on Tuesday 12th July, Queens Park Rangers XI on Saturday 23rd July and Peterborugh United on Saturday 30th July.

Many players have followed manager Paul Halsey from Hertford to Hoddesdon Town. The Lillywhites have confirmed the signings of Jordan Watson Cardan Campbell, Leigh Rose, Louis Rose, Bradley Fraser, Joe Pearce, Dominic Njoya, Ryan Redford, Michael Bardle. Jason Brown, Ross Clemo, George Laffar, Matt Turpin, Frazer John and Chris Wild along with Tom Cowell, Connor Scully, Charlie Edwards and Brett O'Conner who have commited to the club for next season. John signs after impressing for Cockfosters last season and Wild (formerly of Billericay Town and Enfield Town) returns to football after a break from the game. They return to action on Saturday 9th July against Wodson Park with their stand out fixture being a trip down the A10 to face Cheshunt on Tuesday 2nd August.

Cheshunt host a team from League Two Barnet on Saturday 9th July as well as Dagenham and Redbridge on Saturday 23rd July.

Hendon have a four-team tournament scheduled over the weekend of Saturday 23rd and Sunday 24th July which sees them take on Carshalton Athletic at 1pm and Farnborough play Slough Town at 3.30pm on the Saturday with the losing teams facing each other at 1pm on Sunday following by the final at 3.30pm. Admission per day at Silver Jubilee Park is £5 for adults and £1 for under 18s. Gary McCann's

Cockfosters start their pre-season schedule with a trip to Codicote on Tuesday 12th July followed by a trip to Clapton on Saturday 16th July. They also have trips to Langford, Boreham Wood u21s, Waltham Forest, Sawbridgeworth Town and Rayners Lane.

Waltham Forest, under the new management of ex Ware boss Kem Kemal, start with a home game against Brentwood Town arranged for Monday 4th July. They also have a trip to Letchworth Garden City Eagles on Saturday 16th July followed by home games versus Westhamians and, as above, Cockfosters finishing with an away day to St Margaretsbury.

Enfield Town open with a home game versus Barnet on Saturday 16th July followed by Reading u21s on Tuesday 19th July, Brighton and Hove Albion XI on Friday 22nd July and Queeens Park Rangers u21s on Saturday 23rd July. They travel to Ware on Thursday 28th July and Skelmersdale United on Saturday 30th July to commemorate the 1967 FA Amateur Cup Final which took place between Skemersdale and the old Enfield Football Club. They finish by travelling locally to Haringey Borough which will mark the opening of the new 3G pitch at Coles Park on Saturday 6th August.

Essex Senior League Eton Manor (whose Assistant Manager is former Enfield Town fan's favourite) Asa Pamplin have a home game (should be played at Broxbourne Borough's Goffs Lane) on Saturday 16th July against Edgeware Town  

London Colney have both Aylesbury sides visiting Cotslandwick in two days on Tuesday 19th July Aylesbury FC visit before United visit on Thursday 21st July.

New club Enfield Borough also visit Cotslandwick on Tuesday 26th July just four days before they play Ryman Premier Division (North) side Brentwood Town on Saturday 30th July at Donkey Lane.

Aylesbury FC host the Jartazi Cup on Saturday 23rd July which also features Harrow Borough, Greenwich Borough and Egham Town. Each game last 60 mins with roll on and roll off substitutes - the timings will be 12pm for the first game, 1.30pm for the second game. 3.30pm for the 3rd/4th play off and 5pm for the final. There is a great prize for the winners which is £1000 worth of kit provided by Jartazi which should make the competition competitive.