Dino back at the Boro to kick off pre-season challenges

NUNEATON Borough will welcome back former boss Dino Maamria to kick off their pre-season schedule.

Maamria, who steered Boro from relegation worriers to play-off contenders in a six-month spell, will bring his Burton Albion to the FCS Stadium on Saturday July 1 (2pm).

Maamria steered Nuneaton to ten wins in 22 matches after joining in October 2017 before leaving for League Two side Stevenage the following March. Having been appointed assistant to Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink at Burton in January 2021, he succeeded the former Chelsea star after he resigned in September 2022.

A Boro statement said: “We are delighted that Dino is bringing his first team to join our pre-season schedule.

“We’d also like to thank Brewers chairman Ben Robinson for his support of the friendlies and allowing us to keep gate receipts from recent Birmingham Senior Cup ties.”

FRIENDLIES: Sat July 1 v Burton Albion, H (2pm); Tues 11 v Hereford, H (7.45pm); Tues 18 v Solihull Moors, H (7.45pm); Sat 22 v Littletown, A (3pm); Sat 29 v FC United of Manchester (3pm).

■■BEDWORTH United will entertain Lichfield City, Barwell and North Leigh in three pre-season friendlies.

The Greenbacks will also be on the road for four away matches as they prepare for the Northern Premier Division One Midlands season.

Stuart Storer’s men meet Midland

League Premier Division side Lichfield City on Tuesday July 11 at The Oval and face Southern Premier Central team Barwell on Saturday July 22. They end the warm-up schedule against North Leigh on Saturday August 5.

FRIENDLIES: Sat July 8: v Coventry Copsewood, A (1pm); Tues July 11: v Lichfield City, H (7.45pm); Sat July 15: v Romulus, A (3pm); Tues July 18: v Lutterworth Town A, (7.45pm); Sat July 22: v Barwell, H (3pm); Sat July 29: v Stratford Town, A (3pm); Sat August 5: v North Leigh, H (3pm).