WHAT a week it’s been for Melksham Town as it prepares for the new season.
The club has hosted three Football League teams – League One side Bristol Rovers, newcomers to League One, Forest Green Rovers, and League Two outfit, Swindon Town – and attracted over 4,000 fans to the Oakfield Stadium.
“It’s been phenomenal for a football club,” said club chairman Darren Perrin. “We’ve had 4,000 people come through the turnstiles in just under a week, and we’ve shown we can host bigger teams in a short period of time.
“We’ve raised the profile of the club by playing these games, and we must be doing something right as the clubs keep coming back!”
Town lost the three games, 0-3 to Forest Green Rovers, 1-6 to Bristol Rovers and narrowly 2-3 to Swindon Town but saw the stadium packed out for all three matches.
604 fans turned out for the Forest Green Rovers on Tuesday 28th June; 2,011 for the visit of Bristol Rovers on 1st July and another 1,592 for the Swindon Town game on 2nd July.
“It’s obviously disappointing to lose but it’s always going to be difficult against top teams like this,” added Darren. “And our performances were actually pretty good; it certainly gives us optimism for the season ahead.
“These pre-season games are all about improving the squad’s fitness levels and these games have been fantastic for the players fitness-wise; they’ve obviously been doing a hell of a lot of running chasing the ball!
“We played three Football League sides so far, so I imagine the boys’ fitness levels, which were already high, are now through the roof.
“I’d like to think that pre-season really starts now – we’ve got some games against teams more on our level so the side can put the manager’s (Richard Fey’s) ideas into place.”
“I can’t thank the volunteers and the staff for their hard work and dedication throughout the games so far. And a massive thank you to the players for playing on a Friday night against a full-strength Bristol Rovers team then turning up 12 hours later to play again against Swindon is no mean feat!”
Pre-season results:
• Tues. 28th June. Att: 604. Melksham Town 0 Forest Green Rovers 3
• Fri. 1st July. Att: 2,011. Melksham Town 1 Bristol Rovers 6
• Sat. 2nd July. Att: 1,592. Melksham Town 2 Swindon Town 3
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