COLIN Shepherd has resigned as manager of Pershore Town.

The King George's chief, in his second term at the club, led Town to fourth spot in the Midland Combination Premier Division last season.

Pershore were quick to appoint a successor and former Alvechurch boss, Mick Preece, has been given the task of leading the club back into the Midland Alliance.

Based in Bromsgrove, Preece has vast experience at this level and his past record indicates that he has the facility to bring in the new faces needed to bring success to Pershore.

Friendly matches get under way on Saturday, July 21 when Boldmere St Michaels are the visitors, seven days prior to a second home outing against Halesowen Harriers.

Town then travel to Bewdley on July 31 before a third home game against Cirencester Town on August 4.

Hellenic League opponents end the warm-up period with home matches against North Leigh on Tuesday, August 7 and Shortwood on August 11.

Mike Pugh has taken over as football secretary to allow Don Roberts to concentrate on the highly responsible task in the dual role of club secretary and treasurer.

Worcester-based County Sports will share the facilities at King George's next season after gaining promotion to the Combination's Premier Division.

The league celebrates its 75th anniversary next season and is producing a special book to recognise the fact.

"A History of the Midland Football Combination" has been written by Bob Bannister and the most comprehensive account yet about non-league soccer in the Midlands.

It traces how the game came to Worcestershire in the last quarter of the 19th century and how the non-league structure began.

The author, who has followed non league football and in particular the Combination since 1948, has researched previously unknown facts concerning its members clubs.

The history is completed within its 150 pages with a potted history of every current Premier Division side together with leading league tables for every season since its inception.

The book, priced £7.50 incl p & p, should be available for distribution in September and can be obtained from L W James, 175, Barnett Lane, Kingswin-ford, West Midlands, DY 6 9QA, tel 01384 273459.

Cheques made payable to Midland Football Combination.