By Jonathan Brown
VALLEY Rangers are looking forward to yet another season competing at the highest level of Mid Ulster League football and open their campaign on Saturday at home to familiar rivals, Tandragee Rovers.
The Valley have enjoyed some good results during pre-season, defeating Ardglass 4-0, giving NIFL Premier Intermediate side Banbridge Town a good battle before losing 4-2 and rounding off preparations with a 2-1 win in the Isle of Man against Isle of Man Premier League side Ramsey AFC.
Rangers manager David McKee says, although there was the usual summer disruption with squad members travelling on holiday, numbers at pre-season training have been “outstanding”.
“Numbers have been outstanding at training. It’s been a little bit disruptive, we’ve boys coming back and forth from holidays, last Saturday (20 July) was probably the first time we had a recognisable first team in place.
“But it’s been good so far.”
The Bignian Park outfit recorded an eighth place Intermediate A finish in May and McKee is looking for significant improvements this term.
The Valley gaffer says he doesn’t fear any team in the league and wants a top four finish at a minimum.
“I think the league is wide open this year. You’ll have your usual suspects who are going to be strong, the likes of Moneyslane, but with Oxford Sunnyside going into the Premier Intermediate League, I think getting into that top four is possible.”
This is not the only target. Read the full report to find out what he believes his team can win this season.
