CHRIS Herbert has highlighted where he sees his new-look 1874 Northwich side being a real threat in the 2024/25 campaign.

And he is happy with how pre-season is taking shape and building ahead of the friendly against their Townfield landlords Barnton on Saturday.

1874 won 2-1 at Flint Mountain on Friday and are away to Kidsgrove Athletic tonight as preparations continue for the first term in the Midland Football League Premier Division following relegation.

“We made our friendlies schedule extremely tough, and sometimes it can be frustrating when the results are not arriving,” said Herbert, whose side recorded two defeats and a draw in their first three friendlies.

“The games are all about finding the right shape and right situations in that shape for our players to be best suited to and we feel we now have found our shape and the squad has settled very quickly into it.

“We can’t wait to play at home on Saturday, it’s been a long wait and it will be great to see the fans coming through the gate and watching their team play exciting football as we continue to prepare for a big season where we want to challenge on all fronts.”

He added: “It’s all about pushing on into that first game of the season now and it’s no secret that we want to do well in the competition (FA Cup).

“Everything we are doing is gearing ourselves up to that first game of the season against a very strong Stockport Town side.”

Herbert took over at the back end of last season when relegation was already confirmed and he praised the players’ willingness to adapt to the changes he has brought into training.

“The players are loving the training,” said Herbert, whose players also have a home clash against Salford City XI on Wednesday.

“Reedy and Steve make the sessions very enjoyable and all with a ball. We are working on shape, phases of play and fitness at the same time which we are now starting to see come off in the games.

“We are a huge threat on set pieces and are always organised and drilled to know what we want to do and mix it up as much as we can, so it is hard for the opposition to work out.”

1874 Northwich have appointed Dylan Rees as under 21s manager and assisting him will be Declan Fulton.

The club will be holding an open under 21s trial on Thursday at The Grange Pavilion in Hartford at 6.30pm. For further information, contact secretary@1874northwich.com