NEW Harwich and Parkeston manager Kieron Shelley says preparations are already well under way in terms of shaping his squad for next season.

The Shrimpers boss has had numerous conversations with potential new signings and says last term's squad are also "on board" for the 2018/19 campaign.

Former FC Clacton manager Shelley and assistant Mike Wallace took over a fortnight ago and are desperate to make their mark as Harwich prepare for the new Thurlow Nunn League season.

"I'm really excited," he said.

"It's early days but preparations are already going well.

"It's too early to start naming names but we've had conversations with various players - several of whom approached us, rather than the other way round.

"I'm confident we'll have a strong and competitive squad by the time the season starts and we're really keen to get both old and new faces involved again.

"I've also been pleased with the reaction of the current squad, most of whom are fully on board and behind us.

"We're looking forward to it and believe we're a club on the rise, both on and off the pitch.

"It would be great to get the community behind us, in terms of support and also commercial opportunities around the club."

Harwich's position in the new step six Thurlow Nunn League south division was confirmed on Friday.

It followed a meeting at Wembley last Wednesday.

The 19-team division will also feature the likes of Little Oakley, Wivenhoe Town, Halstead Town, Holland FC, Braintree Town Reserves and former Essex and Suffolk Border League side Coggeshall United.

Meanwhile, the Shrimpers have confirmed some pre-season friendly dates.

They will visit Tiptree Park on July 4 and Needham Market Reserves on July 14, before home matches against Witham Town on July 17 and Brantham Athletic on July 19.

They then go to Alresford Colne Rangers on July 21 before finishing with home matches against West Bergholt on July 24, Leiston Reserves on July 28 and Dedham Old Boys on July 31.

They are still looking for one more away game on July 7 or 10.

Elsewhere, neighbours Oakley have also released dates for their scheduled pre-season games.

They are due to entertain FC Clacton on July 14 before going to West Bergholt and Dedham Old Boys on July 17 and 21 respectively.

After hosting Leiston Reserves on July 24, they go to Capel Plough on July 28 before finishing against East Bergholt, at the Memorial Ground, on July 31.

Oakley's reserves will play Needham's reserves on July 18 (away), Felixstowe and Walton's reserves on July 21 (home), Trimley Red Devils on July 28 (home), Westerfield United on August 2 (home) and Tiptree Park on August 4 (away).