by Peter Scherer
This Saturday we welcome Belper Town to the Don Amott Arena, for the second of our six pre-season fixtures.
We are looking at more trialists this weekend and we haven’t given all of our current players a game yet, like Jake Bennett, Andy Dales and Dan Bradley. It’s early days and we just want to get match time for the players and take a good look at them all
Sports manager Gareth Holmes.
Belper Manager Lee Attenborough took his Northern Premier League East side to Ashby Ivanhoe for their first game on Tuesday night, going down 0-1 to the United Counties League side after an early second half goal.
The Nailers first choice keeper Is Dan Moore, an ex Burton Junior signed from Boldmere late last year, while Harvey Adams is his cover.
Playing at right back is vice captain Ben Rhodes, a long-time servant to Belper, who came back in 22/23 after spell in Italy with Mantova.
Centre back Paulo Aguas is a new signing, arriving from Spanish side Ponferradina, he will be teaming up with Ioan Evans, a former Welsh Under 17 & 19 International and Sheffield Utd Junior, recently arrived from Matlock.
New captain Jack Broadhead started out at Chesterfield, and also had a spell at Mickleover in 2018. A defensive midfielder and another new arrival, having moved from Worksop.
The versatile Mason Warren needs no introduction to the Mickleover fans, having spent a number of seasons at the Don Amott Arena, some as captain. He moved to Belper at the start of last season.
Striker Brodie Litchfield is another returnee, having rejoined the Nailers last season, after a spell at Basford.
Midfielder Curtis Burrows came from Corby Town in February last year, and he is joined by new signing Nathan Whitehead from Matlock Town.
Striker Luke Rawson is another pre-season signing, an ex Chesterfield Junior, signed from Stocksbridge.
Former Sheffield United youngster Nat Crofts has been playing US College football, whereas striker Ewan Sutherill has come from the Nailers own Academy, along with Lewis Austin.
Young striker Jack Thatcher is a new signing too from Dunkirk, while Heaton August and Andrew Tsolakis also played at Ashby last Tuesday.
Kick off is 3pm and admission is just £5.