Since returning from a family holiday, it has been a very intense period for Andy. In addition to the pre-season friendly with Ashton United, Andy has been constantly on the phone to prospective players, agents and coaching staff and organised his first training session with the team on Thursday evening. However the most important development is in regards to Shaun Goater.

Shaun needs no introduction to football fans after scoring in excess of two hundred goals in a professional career which spanned seventeen seasons. He is best remembered for his time at Manchester City where he overcame a difficult start to become a cult hero at Maine Road. Arguably his greatest achievement though came in 2003 when he was awarded The MBE for services to sport and young people in his native Bermuda. Since retiring, Shaun has studied for his UEFA B licence and this subsequently lead to coaching opportunities both at home and abroad.

Shaun attended training on Thursday in an observatory role and the subsequent player's meeting in the Clubhouse. His enthusiam is infectious and he became an instant hit and stayed until later in the evening chatting with the players and Chairman alike.

Andy and Shaun met on Friday morning for further dialogue and as a result, Andy can confirm that Shaun will assist him with the squad for their pre season friendly against Manchester Gregorians at Platt Lane today as well as training this coming week. Shaun will be in the dugout for the first Evo Stik NPL game against Scarborough Athletic next Saturday but due to business commitments, Shaun will then be unavailable until early September by which time the Club hopes to confirm his role on a permanent basis.

Supporters will get a chance to meet both Andy and Shaun on Tuesday evening when they host a " Meet The Manager " Forum. This will commence in the Clubhouse after the planned training session at Church Lane, hopefully around 8:30pm.

This is fabulous news for the Club and demonstrates the intent that both Andy & Shaun believe that New Mills can be successful both on and off the pitch.