Thomas welcomes new additions to Lye

Anslow has moved on due a change in his work commitments after playing a key role in Lye's recent success.

Billy Russell and Ben Jevons have also left Stourbridge Road.

However, Thomas is excited by the arrival of Rock and the potential of a partnership with James Spray next season.

He said: "Ricky Anslow scores goals but we have to move on. Sam Rock is a very capable replacement that is proven at two levels above.

"I think he and Spray have the potential to work really well together, be that if we play two up top or one dropped slightly deeper.

Thomas and joint-manager Darren Goodall have also welcomed former Causeway United players Sam Beasley and Jack Pearlman to the club, as well as the versatile Dan Taylor.

"I think we have managed to get Causeway's best two players," added Thomas.

"Pearlman will come in as a centre half and Beasley can play across midfield.

"There signings are all about replacing the players that have left.

"We now want to add some more so that we strengthen last year's team. We have some irons in the fire and there should be some more new faces once pre-season starts on June 30."

Thomas again said he would look no further than his first goal of ensuring the club stay in the division.

Town had a good first season in the Midland FootballLeague's Premier Division before a difficult end to the campaign eventually saw them finish sixth.

Meanwhile, Lye have shaken up their backroom team.

Tim Clarke has come in as goalkeeper coach, Lee Wood is a new first team coach and Inka Polec is the new physio.

The club's pre-season schedule sees them travel away from home on all occasions.

A trip to Ellesmere will kick-start their preparations on July 11.

That will be followed by Shifnal Town on July 18, Bewdley on July 25 and Wolverhapton Casuals on July 28.

There final games sees them take on Stourbridge at Amblecote on August 4 before the new season starts four days later.