FECKENHAM begin their pre-season campaign this week with manager Lee Adams delighted to have one of his young stars back at the club.

Teenage midfielder Mark Hands had been training with Southern League outfit Halesowen Town but is back with the Millers in time for tomorrow's opening friendly with Boldmere St Michaels (ko 7pm) at their Mill Lane ground.

"Mark went training with Halesowen but has now committed himself to Feckenham for the start of the season," Adams explained.

"He is physically very strong, fit and quick so it is a huge boost to have him."

The Millers have a busy start to their pre-season with Sunday side Webheath and Fairfield Villa heading to the village for back-to-back games on Saturday - the former playing Feckenham Reserves at 11.30am with the Midland Combination rivals meeting at 3pm.

And, following the release of the opening Premier Division fixtures, Adams is hoping his side will have a better start to the season than last year.

"If we can start this one like we finished the last one then we should have a good season."

The Millers open their league campaign at home to Bolehall Swifts on Saturday, August 20 with Atherstone Town the visitors to the Valley Stadium on August 24.

The bank holiday weekend sees them away at Meir Ka on the Saturday before hosting Cadbury Athletic on the Monday.

Friendlies: July 21 Boldmere (h), July 23 Fairfield Villa (h), July 30 Ledbury Town (h), August 13 Littletons (h).