Joshua Pleased with Pre-Season Progress

Rugby Town manager Grant Joshua says he is pleased with the progress made during the opening weeks of pre-season as his new-look squad prepares for its first outing of the summer at Skegness Town.

While attention has been on England's progress at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, preparations have been well underway at Butlin Road ahead of the club's return to the United Counties League Premier Division South.

Joshua has overseen a significant overhaul of the squad, completing the club's recruitment early in the summer with 13 new arrivals joining the five retained senior players from last season.

Sam Tye, Harrison Nee, Ethan Hanson, Ryley Nicholson and Rivel Mardenborough all remain at the club, while academy products Alex Dulgheru, Hudson Petkovic and Dylan Cook continue their progression into the first-team environment.

Among the new faces are returning trio Steph Morley, Ash Bodycote and Devonn O'Sullivan, while experienced additions Jake Duffy, Ryan Boothe, Louis Samuels, Aaron Nuttall, Charlie Tilley, Ben Richards, Jake Wormleighton, Jamie Ashmore, Ryan Bridgewater and Nathan Scott complete the summer recruitment.

Departing the club are Caine Elliott, who has joined Nuneaton Town after making 199 appearances across four spells, Josh Thomas, who has relocated to London, along with Charlie Woods, Nathan Kabeya, Geoffrey Lundoloki, Archie Murray, Fabian Stolowski, Callum Griffin, Jack Concannon, Callum Woodward, Kobi Bivens and Trey Charles.

Joshua believes completing the club's transfer business before the start of pre-season has been a major advantage: "We're looking forward to getting going tomorrow.

"We've had six sessions that have built up to the first game of pre-season and we'll continue to build fitness and sharpness as we progress.

"The clear bonus we've had is that our business was done early, so we've had no players coming in who aren't going to be part of the group. That has given clarity to everyone because they know exactly where they stand.

"It's hard to build something when you've got five or six trialists training and taking minutes in games, so our approach has been a success on that front."

The manager has also been encouraged by both the physical condition of the squad and how quickly the players are adapting to the team's style of play: "I'm pleased with where we are in terms of our fitness output. We haven't gone over the top because of the condition the lads came back in.

"We've also put more emphasis on our playing style from the first session compared to last season.

"The key now is for the lads to gel, and gel quickly both on and off the pitch. The signs are positive because it's such an experienced group."

Although the club's focus remains firmly on the opening league fixture later this month, Joshua says the foundations are already being laid: "Everybody is in the same boat in pre-season and gearing up for the weekend of July 25.

"We want to get off to a good start and put a marker down. We have our own aims and targets within the group and they'll stay private."

The manager is looking forward to beginning the campaign with a trip to Skegness, believing the day will be valuable both on and off the pitch: "I'm looking forward to the early start and travelling up to Skegness together.

"It's a perfect game for us and gives us the chance to build that team spirit and camaraderie.

"Tomorrow I'll be looking for the lads to put into practice what we've been working on over the past two weeks."

In other news, since the league allocations were announced in May there has been one change with Bugbrooke St Michaels successfully appealing against their reprieve meaning they will compete at Step 6 instead meaning a 19-team UCL Premier South next season.