CHAIRMAN Daniel Parvin says Pershore Town’s unexpected switch into the West Midlands League Premier Division will only add to the sense that the club is starting a new era.
The Plums will be playing their football for the first time in the West Midlands Premier after being moved across from the Midland League Division One in the FA’s restructuring for 2018-19.
It means they will face Malvern Town for the first time in league action as well as a raft of Black Country and Shropshire clubs at Step Six.
With manager Paul Harris in charge after taking over from Quentin Townsend, and an influx of new players, it will be very much a new experience on and off the pitch.
Since being formed in 1988, Pershore have always played in the Midland Combination, the Midland Alliance or the Midland League and will now be travelling to the likes of Dudley Town and Cradley Town, with the furthest trips to Shropshire sides Ellesmere Rangers and Shifnal Town.
Parvin, who will start his second season as chairman, revealed he first learned of the FA switch via Twitter.
“It was a bit of a surprise, it came out of the blue and I found out on Twitter,” he said.
“Our preference would have been to stay where we were. In February, we made our application to stay in the Midland League but there were rumours we could have been moved to the Hellenic League with Littleton.
“But now we are in the West Midlands League.
“It’s not as far in terms of travelling and we are really looking forward to the Malvern derby, but we see it as a fresh start. It’s a new era for Pershore.
“I took over as chairman 12 months ago with a new committee and now we’ve got a new manager and a new league. It’s time to move on.”
Pershore are already preparing for the new season by confirming their first pre-season friendlies and the date for an open training session for would-be recruits.
The first two warm-up games will be at the King George V Stadium, with Welland the guests on Friday, July 20, followed by Feckenham on Tuesday, July 24.
They will also travel to Solihull side Smithwood Firs on Saturday, July 28.
The Plums will also hoping to unearth new gems when they throw open the doors for any player over-16 to attend the first pre-season training session on Wednesday, June 20.