YOUNG Bridgnorth players are being urged to prove their worth and force their way into the football club’s first team.
The gauntlet has been laid down by new manager Lee Mills, who says his top priority is to bring through talented local players while instilling a winning mentality into his players’ minds.
“Since I took over the job not one day has gone by when I haven’t been speaking to people or texting them about the coming season, or players who have been recommended,” he said.
“If everyone signs we could have a squad of about 50 players to chose from, which is unbelievable. Of course some players will decide to stay with their old teams and some will decide it’s not for them, so things could change.”
Mills, who played for Wolverhampton Wanderers, Port Vale and Bradford City in a career spanning 14 years, 293 appearances and 86 goals, came straight from Shifnal United in May.
He says his ethos has always been to give young players a chance, which follows on from his own playing experiences.
“I was never offered a YTS contract or given the chance by a local team in Yorkshire,” he said. “I made my way up the pyramid after getting a trial with Walsall, where I scored three in a trial match, and eventually got signed up.
“There are a lot of good players playing non-league football but they need their chance. What we want are ambitious young players who want to make their way up that pyramid.”
Mills said there were at least three or four lads from Bridgnorth who he believed could make a name for themselves, and move on to bigger and better things.
“It’s up to them where they go, but it’s my job to give them the chance. In Shropshire you’re looking at Shrewsbury and AFC Telford, then there’s Market Drayton and after that it’s us and Ellesmere, so we’re the fourth or fifth highest placed club in the county.
“If someone’s ambitious enough to play for Telford or Market Drayton, where there’s decent money being spent, it may be they can use us a stepping stone.
“Hopefully my management will be a breath of fresh air for young kids in the area. This is their chance to make their feelings known to me and the club.
“But it’s not only about bringing in young talent; we also want a winning and successful mentality.
“You can have 11 half decent lads and only win a few games. But what we’re trying to do first and foremost is to bring in Bridgnorth talent.”
Former Wolves star Tony Dinning, 35, is also being lined to become Town’s new assistant manager although nothing has been confirmed. Mills is also keen for things to be settled at the top, with a new chairman bringing further stability to the club.
“I have made it quite clear from the start I want involvement off the field too,” he said. “I know a couple of local names have been mentioned for the position of chairman, but obviously we’ll know more after our committee meeting.
As for the season itself, Mills says once the team has been sorted he hopes Town go as far as possible in every competition they enter.
Town will entertain Bewdley Town, Wem Town, Rushall Olympic and Ludlow Town before the new season begins on August 7.