Danny Hudson’s new role in the prison service prompted his resignation as joint manager leaving Andy Carney in sole charge of team affairs, while experienced defender Mark Barnard stepped up to a player/assistant manager role alongside Gary Middleton.

Despite the shake up the Nailers won four of the eight pre-season friendly fixtures, all away from home culminating in a 2-1 victory at Ossett Albion last Saturday.

Creditable home draws against a strong Derby County XI and Matlock Town demonstrated to home supporters that the new squad had some substance.

Andy Carney’s chief problem as he prepares for Saturday’s opener against Sutton Coldfield Town is who to leave out.

Defensively the side is shaping up to be Lee Thompson, Matt Plant, Richard Adams and possibly Ryan Booker who have all performed consistently well during pre-season, while it’s difficult to see how Simon Harrison and Andy Rushbury wouldn’t be involved in midfield and Jon Froggatt has to be a cert as main striker.

Ali Barcherini’s place in the starting line up is a given but beyond this there is a wealth of talent at Carney’s disposal and he has the task of telling three or four players that they won’t be involved at Sutton Coldfield.

Strong contenders to join Froggatt up could be Justin Jenkins, Ollie Warren or Chris Wood, while Asa Ingall, Nathan Benger, Simon Mirfin, Luke Fedorenko and Russell Peel are all credible candidates for a midfield role.

However Levi Ramsay, Nathan Swindells and Lewis Pearce have been told that their services won’t be required and have left the club.

Carney also has the services of Mark, Barnard, Leigh Warriner, Lee Clay and Aaron Pride to put into the mix so the Belper manager has a lot of thinking to do this week.

Sutton Coldfield Town are Belper’s first opponents this coming Saturday as the West Midlands based side make their debut in the newly sponsored Evo-Stik League after being transferred from the Zamaretto Division One Midlands.

This is likely to be a testing start for Andy Carney’s new look line up as the Royals, like the Nailers, just missed out on the play offs last season and will high hopes of doing well in their new surroundings.

Carlton Town provide the first home opposition for Belper at Christchurch Meadow, a game that has added interest now that former Millers pair Ali Barcherini and Justin Jenkins are now Belper players.

Manager Andy Carney (pictured) has been happy with the way pre-season has gone says that he will still need time to get things right.

“We’ve got a good bunch of lads to start the season with but there is still some tweaking to do before I will be happy,” he said.

“There will be a settling in period this season because there are so many new faces it’s been difficult to try everyone out in different combinations, and that’s why it may take a few games for the best eleven to emerge.”

“Defensively it’s an easier task because the back four who played last Saturday have done consistently well, however there are other players who could stake a claim as well”.

“I’ve still got some thinking to do about midfield and attack, but Simon Harrison’s got a chance as long as he is fit and Andy Rushbury looked good against Ossett too.”

“There are some quality sides in the division again this season with Newcastle Town and Barwell looking strong, but as long as we are in the top half of the table at the turn of the year I’m confident that with the addition of one or two players, we can push on and finish the season strongly.”

Holbrook Sports’ convincing 4-0 victory over Sleaford Town last Saturday ensures that the two local rivals meet for the second year running in the FA Cup Preliminary Round to be played at Christchurch Meadow on Saturday 28 August.

Andy Carney’s reacted to the news saying, “the FA Cup is always a priority for me and Belper have had some good runs in the past. Two seasons ago we went out in the 4th qualifying round to Droylsden after a reply.”

“A good cup run is great for the club and town, and unfortunately Holbrook knocked us out last season, but it doesn’t concern me who we play because at the end of the day you have to go out there and beat whatever team you get in the draw.”

Nigel Oldrini