REDDITCH Borough’s hopes for a successful new campaign have received a late shot in the arm with Courtney Sowe returning to the club.

The full-back had been set to join goalkeeper Ryan Young and top scorer Liam Fullerton at Studley having spent pre-season at the Beehive but opted to continue his Borough adventure.

Sowe’s decision was music to the ears of manager Julian Workman who believes the positive way the club has dealt with departures during the closed season helped to facilitate the move.

“We knew this summer was going to be difficult in terms of teams coming in for our players and perhaps it turned out to be more difficult than any of us expected,” said Workman.

“That happens, though, and provided players leave in the right way then there is always a path back to the club that helped them to get noticed in the first place.

“These lads know they will receive a good welcome and top-class, dedicated coaching so if for whatever reason things don’t go to plan, Borough will hopefully be their first port of call.”

Borough round off their pre-season schedule with a maiden first-team fixture at the Mettis Sports & Social Club against Drakes Broughton tonight (Wednesday, 7pm).

The Midland Football League Division Two campaign then kicks off with an away fixture against Pelsall Villa on Saturday (3pm). The match takes place at Walsall Wood following a fire at Pelsall's ground.

On Borough’s targets for the new campaign, Workman added: “The squad we built last season was the probably the best I have put together, the best locally at our level and I felt the best in the division.

“I think that was proved by our results once we had settled in to the new level but this season will be more about development and bringing through the next batch of Borough success stories.

“Of course, we will be aiming high. We want to set the standard but at the same time we need to understand the players will need time to settle, adapt and flourish.

“We are all about good coaching and helping players so while we will push the lads to be the best they can be, we won’t be piling on any undue pressure.”

Following Saturday’s curtain raiser, Borough make the short trip to Fairfield Villa on Tuesday (6.30).