PURTON FC chairman Alan Eastwood has been presented with the Hellenic League’s Meritorious Service award for more than 40 years service to the club.

The presentation took place at the league's annual general meeting in June. Eastwood already holds an Honorary Member Award received from the Wilts FA in 2010.

Purton will run just one senior team in the Uhlsport Hellenic League Division One under new manager Justin Miller, who has replaced Chris Pethick after 10 seasons with the club.

Pre-season training started on Tuesday, July 1, and will continue on Thursdays and Tuesdays at 7pm at the Red House Ground – game nights apart.

Six pre-season friendlies have been arranged, three at home and three away and club groundsman Colin Richards has done great work in preparing the Red House pitch for the new campaign.

Several players have sadly left the club but manager Miller has signed Lee Toomey, Steven Davies, Dave Slattery, Rory Sproule, Mark Jordan, Ben Parsons and Pete Temple.

The team begin their league fixtures on Saturday, August 9, while Purton Youth sides will start in the first week of September under youth team chairman Gary Norman.