Maidenhead United boss Devonshire excited by the squad he has at his disposal

Alan Devonshire with new signing Ruben Carvalho

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Pre-season seems to come around quicker and quicker for the Maidenhead United boss Alan Devonshire; however, he's looking forward to putting the squad through their paces over the coming weeks and believes they've got enough talent and ability in the team to be a competitive force once again in the National League.

United are warming up for their eighth consecutive season at the top level of non-league football and at the start of most of the previous seven seasons they've been among the bookies' favourites for relegation.

That will likely be the case again this season, however, Devonshire and his players have defied the odds on too many occasions to doubt they'll be competitive in the division once again.

The manager is also happy to have held on to the vast majority of last season's squad - who finished the campaign strongly with five wins from seven to keep their noses out of relegation danger and finish in a comfortable 14th place.

There have been some notable departures, including Zico Asare, Sam Beckwith, Ashley Nathaniel-George and Charlee Adams, but five new signings have also been brought in - with others potentially following if the need arises or a certain player becomes available.

With that in mind, therefore, survival will be the minimum expectation of this group for the 2024/25 season. Other goals may come into view as the season progresses but achieving that first goal will represent another successful season.

In the main, the Magpies have opted to bring in hungry young players looking to step up to National League level having impressed for clubs at levels below. The first of those was Tyrese Dyce, a standout performer for Slough Town last season in the National League South, while Ruben Carvalho, Joseph Ajose and the more experienced Nathan Ferguson - who played most recently for league rivals Wealdstone - will surely add to the Magpies' attacking capabilities. The last capture is Zac Bell, who can slot in at right back if handed the opportunity by Devonshire, but all five will have to prove themselves to the manager as he already has many tried and trusted players vying for a start.

They include the likes of goalkeeper Craig Ross, centre halves Will De Havilland and Kevin Lokko, as well the versatile Remy Clerima. At times last season it felt like when Clerima was fit and playing well, Maidenhead played well.

At present Reece Smith remains committed, and contracted, to the club for the coming season, while Tobi Sho-Silva, Jayden Mitchell-Lawson, Tristan Abrahams and Shawn McCoulsky will provide the firepower.

Speaking ahead of the side's first friendly match at Holyport on Saturday lunchtime (12.30pm KO), Devonshire said: “Yeah it comes around very quick, but I’m ready to go again as they say.

“I think most clubs have players come and go. I don’t think we’ve had as big of a turnaround as we usually have here. We’ve lost a couple, but we expected that anyway.

“We’ve kept about 12 from last year and I’ve let some go as well. And a few have left. I’m quite looking forward to it, we’ve got a couple of new signings and I think we’ll do well.

“We’ve got to figure out the ones who have left and who to put in their place, but we’ve signed a few players and I’m quite pleased with those.

“Yeah, of course. A couple of them haven’t played at the level but they’re young boys with a lot of talent. It’s about getting it out of them and pushing them on. I think we’ve got a few of those players this year.”

The result of the upcoming pre-season matches is of little to no consequence to Devonshire, who in the main will be looking to get the players fit and sharp for the start of the season on August 10. They’ll also give him the opportunity to try players in different roles and have a look at different partnerships and systems.

“A lot of the players will have 45 minutes on Saturday and 45 on Tuesday (when the Magpies visit Flackwell Heath).
“We’ve only been back a couple of days, so I don’t want to push them too hard. I don’t want to get a load of injuries straight away.

“It will be steady, steady and getting tuned up for August 10. There's always change. It took Sam Beckwith a little while to settle down. We’ve got Tyrese Dyce at left back and we’ve got Zac Bell at right back and we’ll just see how they do.

“We’ll monitor it, and we’ve still got a couple of people at left back that we’re looking at, and at right back, while Remy (Clerima) can play there as well. So, we’ve got some options now.

“I’m quite happy with what we’ve got but if we want to do some more business before the season starts then we’ll do it if we can.

“People always think they’ll get this club or that club and then when it doesn’t materialise you sometimes get a call out of the blue. We’ll see what happens and where it goes.”

Devonshire’s also hoping a decent crowd will come down to York Road for two interesting-looking friendlies against West Ham United u21s on Wednesday, July 24 and EFL side AFC Wimbledon on Tuesday, July 30.

“I don’t worry about the results of friendlies,” he said. “It’s about fitness levels and about seeing certain things we want to do. That’s what we’ll be doing but we’ll be training hard before we play them.

“At half-time they’ll be doing extras as well, that’s what pre-season is about, getting ready for August 10. Yeah, they (West Ham u21s and AFC Wimbledon matches) are a good couple of friendlies that we got sorted out early. We’re pleased with them. Last year, I don’t think we had a home game in pre-season so it will be nice for the fans to get an early look at the players.”