WITH the government and the FA giving non-league football the go-ahead to return, Alton have confirmed the dates for their August pre-season friendlies.
The committee have been busy putting the correct procedures in place to allow the games to take place, and have appointed James Winzer as the club’s Covid officer.
The first team start their new campaign on Tuesday, August 4, when Liphook United are the visitors to The Enclosure, which is followed the following Tuesday (August 11) with the visit of Wessex Premier side AFC Portchester.
Saturday, August 15 sees a visit to Midhurst & Easebourne, then the following Tuesday there are two games, with the first team entertaining Badshot Lea, while the reserves start their friendlies at AFC Farnham.
It’s then two away games for the first team to finish their warm-up – on Saturday, August 22 is a trip to Brockenhurst, followed by a trip down the A31 to play Farnham Town on the Saturday.
The reserves are on the road to play Headley United on Tuesday, August 25. Saturday matches will kick off at 3pm, while the Tuesday games will start at 7.45pm.
At the moment spectators are not permitted to attend friendlies, although the FA are in discussion with the government to try to get this changed.
In the Wessex League, Alton’s first three games are against the teams who were in the top echelons of League One last season when it was declared null and void.
They start with a trip to Downton on Saturday, September 5, before Andover Town visit The Enclosure a week later.
US Portsmouth visit Alton for the first midweek league game on September 29.
In the Wessex League Cup, Alton have been drawn at home against Totton & Eling in the second round, which will take place at The Enclosure on Tuesday, September 15.
The FA Vase is scheduled for Saturday, September 19 and the draw is expected to be made next week.
With nearly all last season’s first-team squad signing again, manager Kevin Adair is hoping to add a few more players to enhance the squad before the season kicks off in earnest.