No need to be worried (From Northwich Guardian)

Witton Albion boss Brian Pritchard happy with squad

3:21pm Thursday 12th July 2012 in Witton By Andrew Simpson, Senior Sports Writer

WITTON boss Brian Pritchard has told Albion fans to take no notice of other sides showing off their summer signings.

He told the Guardian that no news was good news as far as the Wincham Park outfit is concerned ahead of its return to the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League top tier after three years away.

“The fact that we’re not announcing a whole host of changes is not a bad sign,” he said.

“I’ve said before and will do again; we’re really happy with what we have already, although that doesn’t mean we’re not doing everything we can to add to the squad.

“The list is long of players we’ve spoken to, but there’s nothing more to report than that.”

Attacking midfielder Joe Shaw, who played for Trafford against Albion last season, is the play-offs winners’ solitary new recruit so far.

Alex Titchiner, who has returned to full time football with Fleetwood Town, is the only member of Witton’s play-offs winning team to have departed.

That group will start next season’s FA Cup campaign on the road, although its destination will not be known until the end of next month.

North West Counties League Premier Division pair Padiham and Wigan Robin Park meet first in the extra preliminary round with Burscough – relegated from the NPL’s top tier last term – awaiting the victors. The winner of that tie hosts Witton in September.

In the FA Trophy, Pritchard’s men take on league foes Blyth Spartans in the first qualifying round.

Witton start their pre-season friendly programme at Runcorn Linnets this Saturday, kick off 3pm.

A visit to neighbours Lostock follows next Tuesday, kick off 7pm.