There will be a much-changed Stourbridge team which takes the field for the season opener on Saturday.
Following his appointment at the helm of the Pitching In Southern League Premier Central club in May, manager, Liam McDonald, has rebuilt the squad with a whole host of new faces checking in at the War Memorial Ground.
The first of these new arrivals was, rather fittingly, the man who will be wearing the number one shirt during the campaign ahead.
After over 100 appearances during two and-a-half years at Bromsgrove Sporting, Ollie Taylor has developed a reputation as one of the most talented custodians at Step 3.
The son of former Fulham, Birmingham City and Northern Ireland international, Maik Taylor, who won the Southern League title with Farnborough Town in 1993/94, the 25 year-old is relishing the new challenge that stands before him with the new-look Glassboys.
“The challenge ahead here really excites me,” he told us. “After speaking with the Gaffer, he told me about the ambition of the club and it was something that I wanted to be part of.
“My ambitions align with those of the club and it didn’t take long for me to decide that this was the place to be and I can’t wait to test myself here.
“It’s going to be quite a journey; there are a lot of new faces and a new managerial team, so it really does feel as though it could be the start of something special.
“We’ve worked hard throughout pre-season and we’re ready to face what will be a tough challenge. I know only too well that there are no easy games at this level and I would say that the League this year is potentially stronger than it has ever been.
“There are a lot of top teams involved and there will be so many clubs, ourselves included, who feel that they can be up there challenging where it counts.
“I’m not one to set personal targets in terms of stats. The biggest thing for me is to prepare properly week in, week out so that I am able to perform the best I can and find a consistent level of performance that will help the team.”
Stourbridge kick the 2024/25 season off at home against St. Ives Town on Saturday.
IMAGE: Anthony Dunn
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