Spalding United entertain Boston United, Peterborough United and Rotherham United as part of their pre-season schedule

Manager Elliot Sandy is relishing the challenge of a series of tough pre-season tests for his Spalding United side.

The Tulips kick-off their pre-season programme on Saturday with a home match against National League North newcomers Boston United (3pm).

The match against the Pilgrims is the first part of a stellar set of friendlies for Spalding who also host Peterborough United, Rotherham United and Macclesfield as part of their pre-season programme.

Sandy said: "It shows how far the club has come, from all the people working behind the scenes to the lads on the pitch, that we've now got these big teams coming to play us.

"It is testament to the club and we're relishing the challenge because that is certainly what it will be.

"The boys are all working hard at the moment because they will need to be fit for these types of games."

The Tulips have been back in pre-season training for nearly a fortnight with Sandy keen to build on the achievements of last year when they won the Northern Premier League Midlands Division title.

He added: "It's something that I have been looking forward to because, when you have a season like we did last year, you just don't want it to stop.

"It hasn't stopped in the summer for me though because I've been working so hard with my management team to build on what we've already got.

"We've got an amazing squad already with some top players but there were some key areas which we wanted to strengthen.

"We also lost a couple along the way which was always going to happen but we're in a really good place right now and looking forward to getting going.

"It's a clean slate now and we want to be successful again but we need to work hard which is what it's about with 100 percent effort."

After the Boston game on Saturday, Spalding host Peterborough on Tuesday night before welcoming Steve Evans' Rotherham to the Sir Halley Stewart ground on Saturday, July 20.

Former Leicester City and Derby County midfielder Robbie Savage will then be bringing his Macclesfield side to face Spalding on Tuesday, July 30.

Online ticket details have been released ahead of the games where club officials are anticipating large crowds and near capacity.

Prices for each game are £10 adults, £5 concessions, £3 children with Under 11s free. Should capacity not be reached, tickets will be sold on the day.

Online tickets include a small booking fee which is separated in the detail and is the charge to the club for the use of this facility and e-tickets.

For more information visit: https://www.spaldingunited.net/news/article?id=2858445&_title=pre-season-tickets

The Tulips have made three new additions to their squad ahead of the pre-season opener.

Former Peterborough United midfielder Callum Chettle has joined Spalding after finishing last season with new Southern League Premier Division Central rivals Stamford.

Ex-Posh Under 21 goalkeeper Jake West has also been recruited after impressing in pre-season.

Spalding have also re-signed defender Kieron Dawes ahead of the Boston friendly.

The former Stratford and Bromsgrove player joined the Tulips towards the end of last season's title-winning campaign.