THE pre-season fixtures are already only three weeks away for the start of a new chapter at Bromsgrove Sporting.

Title winner Paul Smith has returned for a second stint as manager at the club with his reign starting on the pitch at Worcester Raiders on Tuesday, July 9 (7.45pm) at Sixways Stadium.

Sporting have arranged three home fixtures and five away ahead of the 2024-25 Southern League Premier Division Central campaign.

The home matches are against a Birmingham City under 21s side, National League promotion hopefuls Solihull Moors, who lost in the play-off final to Bromley on penalties last season, and promoted county neighbours Worcester City.

The Blues visit the Victoria Ground on Tuesday, July 23 (7.45pm), Solihull on Saturday, July 27 (3pm) and Worcester, who won the Hellenic League Premier Division last season, on Saturday, August 3.

Smith, who won the Midland League Division One title with Sporting in 2016-17, also takes Bromsgrove to AFC Wulfrunians on Saturday, July 13 (3pm), Stourport Swifts on Tuesday, July 16 (7.45pm), Lichfield City on Saturday, July 20 (3pm) and Boldmere St Michaels on Tuesday, July 30 (7.45pm).

Sporting's summer signings have included midfielders Reece King and Isaac Adegoke, strikers Aaron Bishop and Harry Crook, forward Josh Willis and defender Ethan Patterson who are all set to join from July 1.

Midfielder George Forsyth and forward Kieran Cook are also due to arrive along with keeper Charlie Price and defender Shay Palmer.

Skipper Luke Rowe, vice-captain Aaron Roberts and midfielders Billy Shaw and Keanu Cooper have all committed to another season at the Victoria Ground.

For information on season tickets, visit bromsgrovesporting.co.uk.

Meanwhile, Sporting's league neighbours Alvechurch travel to Quorn for their first pre-season friendly of the summer on Saturday, July 6.

They have added to their squad with the signing of attacking midfielder Connor Stanley from Hereford.

Redditch-born Stanley, 22, was on the books at Manchester United and Bolton Wanderers.

The experienced Richard Batchelor will continue in his player-assistant role for the 2024-25 season at Lye Meadow.

Striker Shay Willock and centre of excellence midfielder Jack Carter have also agreed to return for the coming campaign.