The Evo-Stik League Northern Premier

Kidsgrove Athletic manager Shaun Hollinshead is insisting that summer takeover bids at the Evo-Stik NPL club haven't distracted his squad.

Hollinshead has put together a new Grove team since taking over at the Seddon Stadium and says his players are fully focused on preparations for the new campaign despite off field events.

Kidsgrove take on Stafford Rangers in their final preseason friendly on Saturday and the manager said: “Preseason has been very interesting ,confusing but most all very enjoyable. Off the field takeover bids and power struggles have caused a little unrest but this hasn’t been too distracting and has been kept well away from the newly assembled squad.

"On my arrival it was not clear who of last season’s squad would be staying so my first task was to bring together a squad I felt was capable of competing at this level. That meant looking at players from the same level as well as higher and lower levels."

The Evo-Stik First Division South club have played Rushall Olympic, Accrington Stanley, Norton United, Foley FC and a Port Vale youth side during their warm-up campaign and the manager is confident his team is now ready for action with the new season kicking off on Saturday week.

He added: "Training has been well received with everyone working hard, sweating and swearing together. As Saturday week gets closer the intensity of training and playing is growing and we’re all focusing on getting a good start."