Shirebrook Town boss left frustrated by stuttering summer

Shirebrook are looking for more certainty ahead.

Town look likely to start their new EMCL league season in September after the FA earmarked it as a favoured option during a meeting to discuss the non-league game on Friday.

And while Bates admits that it is a step in the right direction, he knows there is plenty more work to do ahead of a confirmed restart date.

“We were just waiting for some positive news before we returned to pre-season,” he said.

“The biggest problem for us through all this is we could not plan, you can’t get things ready, you can’t bring players in, you can’t really do anything.

“Things are just up in the air, we have a few irons in the fire and have spoken to one or two players, but there is nothing certain at the moment.”

Shirebrook will run an U18’s side in the Sheffield Meadowhall Sunday League next season

But Bates knows his small squad need experience as well as numbers for the new campaign.

He added: “We need to bring a few in to get more cover in certain positions. We have got a good squad of 16 players, but it is stretched when we have injuries and we struggle.

“We have got a lot of young lads in the squad and we could do with a bit more experience and strength in depth to help us out.

“Hopefully we can feature one or two of the U18’s next season, which is what we are aiming to do.

“It is nice to promote from within and it gives us more structure.”