Romford boss Dan Spinks pleased by start to pre-season

Romford boss Dan Spinks was delighted to see his side begin pre-season with a 6-1 win over Harlow Town on Saturday.

Charlie Morris and Sonny Shilling netted twice each, with Toheeb and Lee Hursit also on target.

And Boro head to Essex Olympian League side Harold Hill this weekend, after a midweek visit from Enfield, before hosting Dagenham & Redbridge next Wednesday (July 12).

“Saturday was good, we were pleased,” said Spinks. 

“It was good to get some minutes into the boys, we’ve got 19-20 at the minute and will mix it up again at Harold Hill on Saturday and play a few trialists.

“We want to then try and get the squad together for Dagenham & Redbridge.

“We’ve had three sessions, a game with the U21s and Harlow, and it’s all gone to plan so far.

“We’ve got a few new faces, some from the league above, which should be a positive. And some of the youngsters who have come for trials we’ve been really impressed with.

“We’ve got the core there with a couple of spots still to fill and we’ve got some big decisions to make. Hopefully we get those decisions right.

“Dagenham is a good one for the club. Scott [Doe] has got some contacts there and we’re looking forward to it. But all of our friendlies are competitive to see where we’re at.”

Boro are set to begin the Essex Senior League season with a trip to Saffron Walden Town on July 29 and will learn their FA Cup extra preliminary round fixture on Friday, with ties to be played on August 5.

They made it through to the third qualifying round last season, knocking out league rivals Saffron Walden and Takeley and upsetting Hashtag United and Potters Bar Town before losing to Chelmsford City.

And FA Youth Cup ties will also be revealed, with matches to be played the week commencing August 14, but Boro have to wait to find out who they will play in the FA Vase after their success last season.

They reached the fourth round before bowing out to Channel Island side Jersey Bulls and are exempt until the second round proper on November 11 this time around.

“I think someone has got it in for us. We’ve got four of the ‘big six’ early on, from what you hear about budgets,” added Spinks.

“But the boys are looking forward to getting the season started and enjoying it is a big part of it.

“There’s a bit of excitement with the FA Cup draw as well. We had an excellent run last year and it would be amazing to do that again.

“And I had a message from the old manager [Steve Butterworth] about the Vase, saying you can thank me for what I did!”

*Romford FC will hold its annual general meeting on Monday week (July 17, 7.15pm) at the Royal British Legion, 54 Western Road, Romford.

There will be a bar available and any member wishing to stand for the committee should write to ewenson@aol.com no later than three days before the meeting.

Once official business has finished there will be a general Q&A.