2026/27 Pre-Season | Men's First Team
We're excited to announce our Men's First Team pre-season fixtures for the summer ahead.
Our schedule sees us test ourselves against a range of opponents, starting with games against sides from Step 6 and 7 of the National League System and finishing with three challenges against higher ranked teams, sandwiching one fixture from the NWCFL Premier Division.
Our plans were disrupted by the FA's decision to laterally transfer us to the Midland Football League and, with the prospect of significant coach travel now on the horizon, our management team opted to forego the long-distance away day we had been working to secure. Nevertheless, this remains a priority for our future pre-season plans.
Pitch improvements at Brookburn Road mean we're able to play at home from July 25th onwards.
Tuesday 7th July
After reporting for training on June 20th, Lee Rick and Steve Yarwood's group will wear West colours for the first time at Whalley Range. The Cheshire Football League Premier Division runners-up kindly offered to host us as we brought forward the start of our preparations.
Kick off will be at 7.15pm as the Kings Road ground doesn't have floodlights.
Saturday 11th July
Next up is a trip to NWCFL Division One South side New Mills. The Millers finished 3rd last season, losing out to eventual winners Stockport Georgians in the playoffs.
We've contested some memorable games in the past - most recently a famous win at Church Lane in January 2022 en route to the D1S title - and we're sure supporters will look forward to an enjoyable day over in High Peak.
Tuesday 14th July
We'll make the short journey to Abbey Hey. The Abbey gave us two tough games in the NWCFL Premier Division last season, which they finished in 21st place.
They're our most frequent opponent since we entered semi-professional football in 2012, having met 25 times in all competitions.
Saturday 18th July
Our final Saturday away trip of pre-season will see us head to Curzon Ashton. The Nash suffered a narrow, last-day relegation in April and will compete in the NPL Premier Division next season after an impressive 11-year stay in the National League North.
Our only previous meeting was a friendly at Brookburn Road in July 2012 and this will be our Men's First Team's first visit to the Tameside Stadium.
Kick off will be at 1.30pm, with the Fields of Gold Festival taking place in Tameside over the same weekend.
Tuesday 21st July
We'll then visit Barnton, the scene of our 2022 title-clinching win, to face 1874 Northwich. The Greens were one-time regular opponents but our paths haven't crossed since January 2019.
They won the Midland Football League Premier Division playoffs last month and will be a good benchmark of what's required to win promotion from our new division.
Saturday 25th July
We're delighted to welcome Southern League Premier Division South outfit Basingstoke Town to M21.
The 'Stoke finished 17th at Step 3 last time out and will be visiting us as part of their annual Weekender pre-season away trip.
Kickoff will be at 1pm.
As ever, click HERE to see our fixtures in full.
