The Development squad has naturally drawn attention from clubs higher up the pyramid however Hall & Hardy are delighted with how their squad is shaping up. 'I think we're in a far better position now in terms of a collective squad compared to last season' Hall said.

Callum Franks has been cruelly told he will not play football again after his horrific injury at the end of April. Youth Product Josh Sands departs for University at the end of the month whilst Bruno Nasciemento has remained in Brazil for an extended period. Top goalscorer Josh King has also temporarily stepped away from football due to personal reasons.

Other departures include Max Geary to Kirby Muxloe, Jacob Minihane to Birstall United & Archie Allen back to his former club Magna FC.

'Looking back on the departures over the summer, it's incredibly sad to lose Callum to injury. He was highly thought of within the football club which shown in the fundraiser we collected for him within 2 weeks. Myself and Scott have also had a soft spot for Josh Sands who leaves with our blessing to further himself with his education and of course our top goalscorer Josh King. Those Number 9s are not easy to replace but we wish Josh the very best whilst he gets himself sorted off the field'.

'In terms of our departures, all have gone on to sign at higher level clubs which we understand but there is that tinge of disappointment they have decided not to continue this journey we are on given the time we have invested in them. However on reflection, we have held onto our key players we really wanted to nail down and that was so important, both myself and Scott are absolutely delighted with the players we have been able to bring in too' Hall said.

New arrivals into the Development team are attacking midfielder Chris Jones who joins from Step 6 & David Mensu-Bonsa who joins from Step 5. Stanley Rossell arrives from Aylestone Park, Josh Rudkin from Anstey Nomads, Jude Kutshienza from Kibworth & former youth product Harvey Mason from Burbage. Sam Young also comes back into the game after a couple of years out whilst Harvey Heggs returns after missing the majority of last season.

Pre season results have echoed Hall's comments too with the Development team beating Birstall Reserves 7-0, Aylestone Park 8-0, Barrow Town 3-1, Desford 1-0, Beaumont Park 10-0 and Melton Academy 7-0. Their only defeat in pre season was to Premier Division favourites Ellistown 3-0 although many believed the young group more than held their own for large periods of that game.

Hardy has been really pleased with what he has seen 'We've scored 36 goals in 7 games, keeping 5 clean sheets in the process all whilst we are changing systems and personnel. The players have come in and things are really starting to gel including a number of the under 18s'.

Those under 18s Spencer Stacey, Joe Marriott, Callum Sumner, Benji Read, Ed Gosling, Jasper Clarke, Harry Mason & Corey Crossley have all played a part in the pre season games something Hall feels is imperative for the season ahead. 'We are going into the season with a slightly smaller squad so it was important to bring in the under 18s to get a feel for the Development side. We won't be going out to get players this season, we will promote from within and this is something both myself and Scott are really keen on doing. The 18s are talented boys, they have had a good upbringing with Simon Marriott and Michel Stacey and hopefully we can continue to develop them'.

It's clear from speaking to Hall & Hardy that promotion is the primary target again this season although Hardy has other targets in mind too. 'We want to continue to develop the players to hopefully go on and play for the first team at step 4. Target is of course promotion and closing that 4 division gap between us and the first team'.

For Hall it's about delivering in those big moments ' I expect us to be in and around the promotion places, I echo Scott's comments 110%. I would like to see us getting over that semi final hurdle in a Cup Competition. In those big pressure moments in the one off games, we have come up short twice. For the players development, progress would be getting into a cup final'

The opening league fixtures haven't been kind. They start the season with a tricky away tie at fellow promoted side Leicester Athletico, followed by Sporting Markfield at home who finished just outside the promotion spots last season in 4th then Anstey Town who are highly fancied by many following their merger. However Hall is confident his squad is ready 'It's a tough start, we acknowledge that but we have had an excellent pre season which will hopefully set the spring board a good start. We are exactly where we want to be largely part to having a pre season with the first team. If it doesn't, we reevaluate and adjust accordingly, there is certainly no pressure on the players from myself or Scott. Their development is our main priority'.

Everyone within the club is excited to see where this second year takes this young group.