AN INFLUX of new players has provided Wisbech Town manager Steve Appleby with countless options as he sets about reviving the club he describes as a “sleeping giant”.

The club move into their new home, The Tom Wood’s Beer Fenland Stadium, on Saturday August 14. Optimism is high and although Appleby has had to replace several key faces this pre-season he enters his first full campaign in charge insisting that The Fenmen are moving in the right direction.

He said: “I’m excited about leading the club into a new era. It’s a thrilling time for Wisbech Town and a lot of people have worked so hard to make this move happen.

“Moving into a new stadium is massive progress. We are hopeful that the people of the town will get behind us. We have been a sleeping giant for years and now look to bring some success to this football club.”

Fans’ favourite Andy Furnell has returned having already scored more than 100 goals in Wisbech colours and joins former Soham team-mates Scott Johnson and Simon Flanz in the new-look squad. Matt Lunn, Craig Parker, Jon Fairweather, Ash Stevens, Luke Kennedy and Lea Jordan have also been bought in but boss Appleby is adamant that all of his players will get an equal chance.

The Fenmen manager said: “We have bought in plenty of competition for places so the new signings are not guaranteed to start. I’m not bothered by names.

“I’ve bought Andy because he’s quality. The fans loved him before and he’s a fantastic footballer who knows where the back of the net is. Yet Darren Jimson, Tommy Treacher and Ashley Stevens are all capable of scoring and I will pick whoever is doing the best.”

Wisbech travel to Leiston on Saturday for their opening league game without Lewis Thompson (suspended), Ash Stevens, Scott Johnson, Jon Fairweather (all holiday) and Luke Kennedy (work commitments). The side then face Dereham Town away on Tuesday August 10 in another tough early season encounter but Appleby refuses to complain about the fixture list.

He added: “We have got four or five players missing and Leiston will be a tough game to open with. We are not too concerned though and will go there and do the best we can.

“I’m not bothered who we start against because we’ve got to play everyone at some point. It might be the right time to play them in all fairness. If you want to be successful, which we do, you can’t fear teams.