The surprising number of friendlies Horsham FC plan before September league start

An extensive programme of warm-up games will include fixtures against big-spending National League club Dorking Wanderers, Mt Police and Harrow.

Hornets boss Dom Di Paola hopes that playing a couple more friendlies than usual will help get his players gradually up to 100 per cent sharpness after their longer-than-usual lay-off.

Di Paola has welcomed last weekend’s announcement that teams at Horsham’s level could start training in groups of up to 30 immediately, play friendlies in August and get their league season started in September.

The Isthmian League has said it plans to begin on September 19, although clubs and leagues are still waiting for news on whether fans will be allowed into grounds that soon – and if so, how many.

Horsham will announce dates for their friendlies over the next few days – when a number of new additions to the squad are also likely to be unveiled.

The Hornets are looking forward to their second season in the Isthmian premier after finishing sixth in their first year back at step three.

Di Paola says he regards the coming season as a bit of a free hit when most players, managers and fans will just be happy to be playing and watching football.

Di Paola told us: “It’s nice to know when we’re expecting to get started. The players will be buzzing and the supporters at least have some games to think about in the near future.

“I think the timescales talked about are right. Nothing’s happening too quickly or slowly in my view. If you look at all the Premier League and Championship players who have now played eight or nine games in the new conditions, there haven’t really been any problems.”

Di Paola and his backroom team will meet tonight to plan their full pre-season schedule, and will get some players to put pen to paper.

Having lost three of last season’s squad, Di Paola wants to end up with six new faces, believing a bigger squad will be needed as fixtures will come thick and fast for much of the season to make up for the late start.

“We have to think about the players’ workload.

“There are going to be a lot of midweek games and we will need to give players a rest when they require it,” he said.

“But we’re all looking forward to getting started. I see this season as a bit of a free hit. Supporters just want to be back enjoying football and that goes for players and managers too, as long as you’re not scrabbling down the bottom.

“When you have time away from football you realise how you miss it.”