NANTWICH Town kick off their pre-season friendly programme this week with experience added to manager Jimmy Quinn’s new-look squad.

The Dabbers’ boss believes 38-year-old midfield anchor Jimmy Kelly can be an on-field leader in the club’s Evo-Stik Northern Premier League campaign.

“We need a general on the pitch and he fits the bill,” said Quinn.

“Jimmy may be getting on a bit, but he is as fit as a fiddle.”

Kelly finished last season at league rivals Ashton United after helping Colwyn Bay to promotion from Division One North the previous year.

He has played in the Football League for Walsall, Wolves and Wrexham too.

Quinn has been boosted further by captain Chris Flynn and veteran defender Danny Adams agreeing to stay another season at the Weaver Stadium.

Former Stoke City juniors Alex Hedley and Andy Nicholls - a full back and midfielder respectively - have signed too following their departure from the Britannia Stadium.

Meanwhile Nantwich plan to unveil their new home strip, to be sponsored again by Insurance4your.co.uk, at the town’s Family Fun Day at Barony Park on Saturday.

The players will wear the JOMA-manufactured uniforms for the next two seasons.

Quinn and his right-hand man Martin Stubbs will front a skills school for children at the annual event too, which is due to start at 10am.

The club opens its doors the following day, Sunday, for a ‘Spruce up the Stadium’ day when fans can drop by to help carry out odd jobs at the ground.

Dabbers followers should bring along buckets, paint brushes and shovels from 10am.

Nantwich travel to lower-ranked neighbours Alsager Town for their first warm-up match next Tuesday, July 12, kick off 7.30pm.