Rangers give debuts to nine players

Stafford Rangers could give a debut to as many as nine players when they start their pre-season programme at Rocester tonight.

Two could make their second debuts, with ex-Rangers players Jermaine Johnson and Lee Downes rejoining the club as free agents.

Former Portsmouth midfielder Courtney Pitt, 30, is another on trial at Marston Road after last playing for relegated Chasetown.

Jimmy Turner has also left the Scholars in a bid to stay in the Evo-Stik Northern Premier League, as has Mickleover captain Liam Walshe.

Danny Quinn is on board after his release from Hednesford last month and joins Simon Everall, Oliver Davies and Dean Clarke tonight.

Rangers manager Greg Clowes said: "What I must stress of that all of the players in the squad haven't been signed, but they are here for a reason.

"If they weren't interested in playing for Stafford Rangers, they wouldn't be playing tonight.

"Of course, there are players that I want to see in a competitive game before I make a decision.

"And there's a few things I need to tie up with a few players."

Clowes went on to discuss what he has made of the new additions since they reported back for training two weeks ago.

He said: "I think Courtney has become a bit disillusioned but he's certainly got some pedigree, I watched him play last pre-season.

"Jermaine has been with us since we started back for pre-season and has looked very good, he will start tonight.

"Jimmy Turner has done well in training and in the trial game we had last Thursday, we didn't have an attacking right-back last season.

"Oliver Davies is an ex-Port Vale lad from Stoke, a left sided player who did well in the exit trial game that I went to watch.

"Dean Clarke is a friend of Chris Morris' and Lee Downes was the captain at Leamington last season and played for Stafford in the Conference.

"We first tried to get Danny Quinn last season and he just wants to play at this level."