Pelsall provide first test for new-look Racing Club

A busy two months have seen O’Callaghan and assistant manager Tony Clarke rebuild from scratch after the departure of the entire first team along with former manager Lee Knight.

And, with a new, young side in place, O’Callaghan has set an ambitious two-year target to get Racing Club into the Midland Alliance.

“The chairman has not put us under pressure, but me and Clarkey are competitive people,” said O’Callaghan.

“We’ll be working hard to win it, if not this year then next.

“It’s a tough league but there’s no point us being here if we don’t want to get out of it and the players’ goals are the same as mine.”

Nathan Edgington will be missing from tomorrow’s opener, but Stuart Herlihy will be available to make his debut after returning from holiday.

O’Callaghan says the experience of Herlihy will prove crucial to his youthful side during the winter months and has not ruled out adding further old heads.

“We’re trying to do it with young lads and they’ll have to grow up and learn quickly.

“The concerns are a couple of months into the season when it gets heavy and then we might have to bring in some experience. But I’m confident those players will be there.”

First up, though, are Pelsall, with Pilkington XXX and Pershore coming in quick succession, and O’Callaghan says his side could not have asked for a better opening to the season.

“It’s a good start for us,” he said.

“Nothing against Pelsall but they’ve hardly set the division alight, while we’ve had Pilikington watched and although they are a big strong side there’s nothing to fear there.

“Then come Pershore and they’re beatable.”