NEW Tividale Joint Manager Phil Male says the hunt for new players has already begun, as both he and Ross Thorpe search for new recruits ahead of the 2015-16 season.

Male and Thorpe were appointed yesterday following a second interview over the weekend and Male believes Tivi need to hit the ground running when the season commences in August.

He said “There’s not much time between now and pre-season so we need to start work immediately, talking with players to see what their situation is.

“I’m not entirely sure at this moment in time how many of the current crop of players will be staying here at Tividale. What I would say is that me and Ross are keen to keep as many of them as possible, and we will be making them fully aware of that.

“Having finished in the top half of the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League, Division One South, you don’t want to be making wholesale changes, really. You need to be evolving the current squad, rather than starting again.

“I recall Tividale having a very good start in the opening two months of last season, and we need to replicate that if we can because it gives you confidence for the entire campaign.”

Dale will travel to Halesowen Town on Saturday, August 8th in a pre-season friendly and Male confirmed that Tivi’s full pre-season programme will be announced in due course.

He added “We need to arrange the remainder of our friendlies, but I don’t envisage that being a problem, to be honest.

“We confirmed our friendly at The Grove with John Hill over the weekend, and that date was the most important to get a game organised, as a lot of teams will start their new season on that day.

“We hope to organise a game at home against very good, appealing opposition, too.”