THE new football season is still months away and most of the nation's attention is centred on Euro 2004.
But for Winsford United the 2004/05 season is already here with the North West Counties League having made the draws for the first rounds of its two cups already.
Winsford now know that they will be facing newly promoted Silsden in the first round of the North West Counties Challenge Cup, while either Blackpool Mechanics or Norton United will be waiting for them in round two.
And Winsford will be getting very familiar with the latter two as they are pencilled in to face them in the Second Division Trophy.
Winsford face Blackpool Mechanics in the first round on October 16 and a win there would see them take on Norton in the second round on November 20.
The Blues are also making plans in terms of playing staff with Dave Chambers having signed a contract and Mark Quinn and Stuart Wellstead about to put pen to paper.
A move several other players are also interested in.
Club secretary Bob Astles said: "We've had a lot of players asking to be put on contracts similar to those offered to Dave Mark and Stuart, but we've told them that they have to earn such contracts and show us on the pitch that they are worth it.
"If they show us this and we think they are worth it then we'll put them on contract."
The move comes after UniBond side Vauxhall Motors and neighbours Nantwich Town tried to poach Chambers away from Barton Stadium.
Astles added: "I believe that both clubs were ringing Dave about four or five times a day.
"Nantwich even said they'd signed him, they haven't, he's signed for us."
ghellam@guardiangrp.co.uk
