Although the Stourbridge FC are still awaiting further advice from the FA and the Southern League on when non-league football will be able to resume and the 2020/21 season can get underway, Glassboys boss Mark Yates, along with his counterparts across the league, has been busy assembling his squad for when the new campaign gets the go-ahead.

Yates, appointed at the end of February 2020 just prior to the pandemic taking hold in the UK, has so far confirmed that goalkeeper Charlie Price, full-back Kristian Green, central defender Kieran Morris and midfield man Brad Birch will be returning from last season’s squad.

Departures from the club include the now-Milton Keynes based centre-half Jordan Williams and attacking midfielder Will Grocott who are both re-joining their former club Stratford Town, while midfielder Tom Turton has signed for Worcester City and Dave Bellis has linked up again with former Stour boss Ian Long back at Alvechurch. Another midfield player Nathan Hayward has opted to return to his previous club Bromsgrove Sporting after six months at the War Memorial Athletic Ground and goalkeeper James Wren is also set to leave the club for pastures new.

Yates has managed to bring back popular wide player Greg Mills from Bromsgrove Sporting. The Leicester-born 29-year old left the Glassboys for their league rivals in October 2019 after falling out of favour with Long, but scored 26 goals in 59 appearances during his first stint with Stourbridge.

Mills told the Stourbridge FC website: "I'm thrilled to be back here at Stourbridge. I have some fantastic memories from my time here at the War Memorial Athletic Ground, and I'm really looking forward to wearing the shirt again in the upcoming season.

"It was a difficult decision to leave the club in the first place, but I needed to be starting games, Brendan (Kelly) gave me that opportunity at Bromsgrove, and I enjoyed my time there.

"But it's great to be back, we've made some strong additions to the squad already and, having spoken to the manager, I know there's more to come in the coming weeks. I'm looking forward to working under Mark Yates - he's a vastly experienced manager who's worked in the professional game.

"I can't wait to get started, and I look forward to seeing all the familiar faces in the coming weeks.”

Yates has also swooped for Stourbridge-born forward Richard Peniket. The 27-year old departed Kidderminster Harriers in January this year, and has been a free agent since leaving Aggborough having taken a break from the game.

Peniket represented Wales up to under-21 level, and started his senior career with Fulham after coming through the junior ranks at Walsall.

He spent several loan spells away from Craven Cottage to gain experience before eventually returning North to the Midlands on a permanent basis with Tamworth. The 6ft 3ins. striker then furthered his career with FC Halifax Town, before spells with Gateshead and Alfreton Town respectively.

Peniket said that it was a relief to sort out his future and concentrate on the new season, he said: "I'm delighted to be here - this is my home town club.

"I decided to take some time out from the game to let my body fully recover from cumulative injury issues at Kidderminster. To be honest, I feel like I made the correct decision and I'm feeling great at the moment from a physical point of view.

"I'm looking forward to getting a strong pre-season under my belt, and I'm hoping for a strong year for the team, as well as on a personal level.”

Yates has also secured a deal to snap up ex-Wolves left-back Ben O’Hanlon from Hednesford Town. The Telford-born 24-year old left Molineux in the summer of 2017, having had loan spells with Corby Town, Nuneaton and AFC Telford United and he then headed north to spend time with Harrogate Town before signing for Darlington in January 2018. O'Hanlon returned back to the Midlands on loan at Keys Park from the Quakers in February 2019, before making a move to the Staffordshire outfit on a permanent basis ahead of the 2019-20 campaign.

Suffolk-born 32-year old attacking playmaker Darryl Knights has also agreed to join Stourbridge after being released by AFC Telford United following two seasons with the Shropshire outfit. Since starting his career at Ipswich Town, Knights has also seen service with Kidderminster Harriers, Newport County, Solihull Moors and Tamworth.