Bracknell Town have been forced to make a late change for their pre-season friendly this Saturday.
They were scheduled to face Binfield at the SB Academy at Larges Lane, but that was called off, stating the Moles were “unable to field a side.”
Instead, they will play National League side Wealdstone at Rayners Lane FC with a 2pm kick-off.
Wealdstone found themselves in a similar position as they were due to play Rayners Lane but the home side were also unable to raise a full side.
So Bracknell and Wealdstone have thanked each other for stepping in at short notice to play the game.
In the meantime, Liam Ferdinand has revealed he turned down several clubs to rejoin Bracknell – and the deciding factor was his friendship with managers Jamie McClurg and Carl Withers.
He last played for them when Binfield reached the 2020-21 FA Vase final at Wembley, scoring both their goals in a 3-2 loss to Warrington Rylands.
“I have kept in touch and speak regularly to them, especially Jamie,” said Ferdinand.
“We had quite a few chats in the summer about me signing for Bracknell. I spoke to six or seven other clubs in steps two and three, mainly three, but I know I have made the right decision.
“It’s good to play with a club and people you are familiar with.
“I’ve played in the same team with Jamie and Carl, and also a few of the Bracknell players.
“So I am really looking forward to getting going. Bracknell had a great season and I hope I can help them build on that.”
McClurg and Withers commented: “We are excited to have signed Ferdy. He’s a player we know will score goals for us.”
The 28-year-old striker has applied his trade at a host of clubs, including Binfield, Hungerford, Thatcham, Farnborough, Chesham United and Met Police, scoring goals at all destinations.
Another player back with the Robins is Zidan Akers, a 24-year-old who usually plays wide on the right flank. He spent time with the club during the 2021-22 season.
A former Reading FC Academy scholar, he spent some time in Scotland with Hearts U23s before moving on to Basingstoke, Thatcham, Hungerford, Walton Casuals and Hartley Wintney.
The Bracknell squad as it currently stands: Michael Eacott, Ethan Burden, Max Herbert, Ashley Lodge, Jordan Esprit, Ben Harris, Elliot Legg, Adam Richards, Liam Tack, Kamaron English, Joe Grant, George Knight, Sean Fraser, Kj Osu, Liam Ferdinand, Ziden Akers.