New Market Drayton Town boss outlines ambition as club confirm name change

New Market Drayton Town manager Dave Lloyd is targeting a top-half finish as he looks to improve the club’s fortunes.

Lloyd succeeded Dan Dawson this summer in a coaching and structure shake-up as Town were given a reprieve from North West Counties First Division South relegation.

The Telford-based boss already has some new recruits lined up and wants to hit the ground running as he looks to a possible play-off bid and success in county cup competition.

“It's my first manager's job, so I want to start off flying,” Lloyd said.

“I want to get in there and get a team up that league, but you need to be realistic at the same time.

“Drayton have had a few years now around the bottom end of his table so we'd be realistic at the same time.

“I'm setting the aspiration that we want to be top half, pushing for the play-offs. I think that would be a good goal for the end of the season.

“But if anything above that, then we've had a great, successful season.

“And then, hopefully, a little bit of a cup run on the way. Market Drayton used to be dominant in quite a lot of the local cups. They haven't had that recently, so I'd love to give that again, especially being a local lad, it'd be good to win a local cup.”

It has been confirmed, meanwhile, that Drayton’s Greenfields home has been rebranded The Balufab Stadium in a deal with Market Drayton-based stair and structure firm Balufab.

Lloyd’s side will kickstart their pre-season friendly campaign with a home clash against Wem on July 4 before the visit of Stone Old Alleynians on July 7.

Town go to TNS under-19s on July 11 before home clashes against Forden and Shifnal on July 18 and 21. The final friendly is at AFC Bridgnorth on July 25,