Dolly Blues prepare for season opener

Lancaster City get their 2022/23 Northern Premier League season underway when they welcome Nantwich Town to Giant Axe tomorrow (August 13).

Manager Mark Fell has strengthened his squad over the summer with eight new signings, as well as retaining popular veteran David Norris, and securing the return of Paul Jarvis, for his third spell at the club. The Dollies head into the season with a 21-man squad.

The squad also contains two returning to the Giant Axe after spells away, one on loan and ten retained from last season. It’s a new-look City side who have already shown great promise in pre-season and all will be vying for a place in the starting eleven.

The new season starts on Saturday, and it’s a home game at the Axe to kick off the Premier Division season.

The ticket prices are (tickets can be bought on the gate) Adults: £10, Concessions/OAPs/Students: £7, Juniors (14-17): £5, Under 14s: FREE (if accompanied by an adult), Armed Forces: FREE (on production of warrant card) except cup games.

Junior season tickets are available at ‘pay your age prices’ (£14 for 14-year-olds, £15 for 15-year-olds, etc.).

Speaking of his return to the club, Paul Jarvis said: ‘’I’ve had a bit of time away from the game, then played at local amateur level last year, but I’ve never been out of the loop with all the lads. They never kicked me out of the WhatsApp group and I’ve met up with them over the past few years so even though I’m coming back I don’t feel like I’ve ever been away.

‘’I came down and watched the game against Bamber Bridge last season at home – seeing the banter and comradery it made me think about giving it another go at semi-pro. I talked it through with my wife and she said I should definitely go for it, so I’ve been trying to prepare myself both physically and mentally so I could commit to playing for Lancaster this season.

‘’Hopefully we can go one better (than the 2009/10 squad, who were defeated in the play-offs)’’.

The club has also this week announced a new community initiative that will benefit fans of all ages.

This includes free mascot places for under-16s, 2,000 free tickets donated to essential workers, volunteers, schools and other groups, weekly walking football sessions for older fans, and pre-match coaching sessions.