“We are aiming for a Top 5 finish this season – there are good sides throughout the league and teams like Stourbridge, Hull Ionians – who were relegated from National League One last season, Chester, Ampthill, Sedgley Park are all likely to be in the mix. However we have also learned from experience to take nothing for granted against any side.

“There have been very few departures and plenty of additions to the squad, so we have both stability and energy going into the new season. It was great to see so many of our players maturing on the pitch last year and so there is an excellent platform to push on in the new season.

“Pre season training has gone very well to date, led - as I’ve been away in New Zealand for a couple of weeks - by Head Coach HV, supported by Backs Coach Rod Petty, with Steve Johns doing excellent work in the Strength & Conditioning role. Clive Chapman and Tony Skehan, as an integral part of the development team, have also provided excellent input.

“Training sessions have been very well attended and the squad fitness test results are very encouraging. Jimmy Oliver is the only training injury (jaw) to date. The Moseley conditioning game last Thursday (7th August) proved very successful and gives us plenty to build on as we go into the warm up game phase.”

The remaining pre season programme prior to the opening NL2N home game against Otley on Saturday 6th September is as follows. This Saturday (16th August ) sees the Bees travel down to the south west to play Dings Crusaders, hooking up – no doubt – with ex Bees Mark Woodrow and Simon Hunt who is now their backs coach. The Bees then have a conditioning game on the evening of Thursday 21st August away at Sils before the final preseason game at home against Nuneaton on Saturday 30th August.

With the departure of last year’s physio Nicola - who has gone to Worcester, Gemma McGee is a welcome addition to the backroom set up for the new season. Bob Tunney will be doing the video analysis this year, adding to the excellent camera work already being done by son Neil.

Away from the first team, the Development squad is also an integral part of Eugene’s plans this year.

“The Development team has 17 fixtures this year and is a key part of our plans to strengthen the depth and quality of our senior squad. It will be led by Clive Chapman, supported by Tony Skehan with Tom Miller as Physio. We will be making an announcement about the captaincy shortly, ahead of the first game, which is away against Bourneville Seconds on 6th September.”