Rangers sign Sean Kinsella to contract

Stafford Rangers have dished out their first contract for next season by tying midfielder Sean Kinsella to the club on a one-year deal.

Kinsella was on loan at Marston Road at the end of last season and has now put pen to paper on terms after leaving Northwich.

The 20-year-old former Plymouth trainee is in his third spell with Rangers, having originally joined from the Pilgrims in November 2010.

Now the Stone-based playmaker will start his first season under contract with the club after boss Greg Clowes secured his future.

And Kinsella has been warned pre-season training will be "even tougher this year" by Clowes when the players report back next month.

The squad will start preparing for the new season on June 18 - just four weeks away - and have been told to "hit the ground running."

Clowes said: "Pre-season training was very tough last year and it will be even tougher this year, it will be very difficult.

"We have got to be phsyically strong and mentally strong this season, so I want them to hit the ground running.

"We are probably coming back about 10 days earlier than most, so we should get an extra three sessions in."

Rangers take in their first pre-season fixture at home to Congleton on June 28 before travelling to Rocester on July 3.

Clowes' men then host Blue Square Premier sides Tamworth and Kidderminster Harriers on July 14 and July 21 respectively.

He said: "I couldn't have started my phone calls any earlier about pre-season, I was ringing managers about games in February!

"These two early matches will give me a chance to look at some lads who want to come have a trial with Stafford Rangers.

"Tamworth then come to us on July 14 with Kidderminster Harriers the following week, two teams playing at a higher standard.

"We played Tamworth last year in a 1-1 draw and it was a good game, it's not about results but competing in these matches.

"We have also got our away day at Llandudno on August 4 but we have still got two Saturdays among all that we haven't got covered.

"We have still got other irons in the fire and we won't close them off for a few weeks."