GLASSBOYS SIDE TO VISIT WOMBOURNE

An additional friendly match has been arranged which will see a mixed Stourbridge FC side containing some first and youth team players along with some triallists visit West Midlands League Division 1 side AFC WOMBOURNE on Wednesday 29th July (kick-off 7-45pm).

AFC Wombourne play at the Mile Flat ground near Wall Heath which used to be the home of the now defunct Handrahan Timbers.

F A COMPETITIONS DRAWS REVEALED

The draws for the early rounds of the various F A competitions were announced officially on July 1st.

The Glassboys again have an exemption in the F A Cup until the 1st Qualifying Round stage on September 12th. We have been drawn AWAY to either DUDLEY TOWN, WALSALL WOOD or BROMSGROVE ROVERS.

In the F A Trophy we have an intriguing tie AWAY at fellow Zamaretto League Premier Division side LEAMINGTON in a First Qualifying Round tie to be played on October 17th.

Our youth team will be at HOME to NEWCASTLE TOWN in the Preliminary Round of the F A Youth Cup during w/comm 7th September. The winners of this tie are away to either Tipton Town or Dudley Town in the 1st Qualifying Round.

 To view the draws in full - visit the F A website via the link below:

http://www.thefa.com/TheFACup.aspx

Stourbridge boss Gary Hackett has made his fourth signing of the summer with the arrival of JOE WILLIAMS from Chasetown. He is a strong and experienced defender who has previously also played for Willenhall Town, Shifnal Town, Ludlow Town and Bromsgrove Rovers. He won both the supporters and players player of the year awards at Bromsgrove in 2005/06 before moving to Chasetown in November 2006 and he played against Port Vale and Cardiff City in the Scholars memorable F A Cup run the following season. He is comfortable lining up in either a back three or a four man defence.

The Stourbridge manager is looking in an improvement in our defensive record this season as only the bottom five teams in the Premier Division conceded more goals in 2008/09 and he is keen for there to be real competition for places.

ROWE RETURNS TO GLASSBOYS

Promising young striker RYAN ROWE has been handed the chance to prove himself at the higher level after returning to the club. Rowe linked up with the Glassboys two years ago for pre-season and he made a couple of first team appearances early in the 2007/08 campaign before joining Bewdley Town. After a short spell there he moved to Cradley Town where he was soon amongst the goals for his new club. Rowe also enjoyed a terrific 2008/09 season and with his all-round game developing he finished as top goalscorer in the Midland Alliance with 30 league goals to receive the Golden Boot Award. Gary Hackett is delighted to have Ryan on board for the new season to boost our attacking options.

The Stourbridge boss has also confirmed that Players Player of the Year winner ROSS COLLINS will be back again for a fourth season with the central defender signing up this week.