Two join Bully at Rangers

Steve Bull has taken the wraps off his first two new summer signings for Stafford Rangers – with at least two more to follow.

Nuneaton midfielder Carl Palmer and Witton Albion schemer Dave McPherson have signed for the Marston Road club.

Both have enjoyed recent success, with Palmer an FA Trophy winner at Hednesford and former Pitman McPherson a Unibond League Premier title winner last season.

Rangers boss Bull is also hopeful of landing Halesowen central defender Nick Amos after talks, as well as another stopper before the end of the week.

Bull hopes they can provide part of the backbone he is convinced is needed for a promotion push from Blue Square North after relegation.

He said: “We have got two good midfielders in who are both strong players with quality and can get about the pitch.

“Hopefully, Nick will sign as well as he is a good left-footed centre half.

“If he signs, that will be three central defenders and that will be the start of a good backbone to the team.

“I believe if you have strength in the goalkeeper, your two centre halves, your two central midfielders and your two strikers then you are on your way to having a chance.”

Bull has also re-signed nine players from last season – keepers Danny Alcock and Danny Allen, Ross Draper, captain Wayne Daniel, Ishmael Reid, Alex Gibson, Jonathan Loukes, Tom Ingram and Nick Wellecomme.

The Wolves legend will start pre-season training tomorrow night vowing to improve his squad’s fitness from last season’s levels.

Bull believes his players’ part-time status exposed their lack of sharpness.

In response, he is bringing in his squad extra early to ensure they are at maximum levels for the big kick-off on August 9.

He said: “We start training on Thursday and we are looking to train three times a week through pre-season.

“We will train on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, plus Saturday mornings as well when we haven’t got a game.

“Last season we were caught napping for fitness and I don’t want the same to happen again.”

Bull isn’t promising miracles as he prepares for his first full season in the hotseat.

“Hopefully we can be at least mid-table, then if there is more finance as the season moves on, we can look at the top two or three.”