Rangers confident of attracting stars

Stafford Rangers believe they are in the driving seat to attract good players to Marston Road this summer in the wake of the economic climate.

Football's recession shows no signs of letting up just yet, as clubs up and down the leagues cut their cloth accordingly to free up room for their own close season movements in the transfer market.

It inevitably has a 'filter down' effect, with the non-league game again expecting to be swamped by an influx of players dropping down from the Football League.

Rangers were ideally placed to benefit from such a situation last summer attracting the likes of Fabrice Kasiama, Player of the Year Tom Thorley and Levi Reid back to the semi-professional game.

And assistant boss Darren Read is confident the club can again benefit from acting as a launchpad for talented youngsters who have lost their way.

He said: "It's that time of year where there must be 30,000 footballers unemployed for a short period, so it's take your pick for the clubs at this point.

"It's devils advocate for the players at the moment. Do you sign where you are and make sure you are in the shop window for next season? Or do you hold out and wait for the best deal that comes along?

"I think a lot of the lads at the moment have been around long enough to know that the grass is not always greener on the other side. There's also going to be a better calibre of players stepping down from the higher divisions, because these days of big money have gone.

"Players need to realise that a half-decent deal is no bad thing at the moment, as a regular playing at a good standard.

"That's the beauty of the beast in non-league football."

Rangers have announced a provisional pre-season fixture list, which will start on Tuesday July 13 with a trip to Biddulph Victoria.

Then comes the annual Chase Cup against holders Hednesford, which starts on Saturday July 17 at Marston Road with the return game in the two-legged contest seven days later at Keys Park.

The following Tuesday, July 27, will see a game at Rocester before League Two outfit Port Vale are the visitors on Tuesday August 3, before another home game against Nantwich four days later.

The club have also announced a price freeze on tickets for the third consecutive season.