The Harwich and Parkeston first team’s pre-season schedule has been announced.
Five matches – all to be played on the Royal Oak – have been arranged, starting with the annual Kevin Beattie Foundation Cup match against FC Clacton on Saturday July 5.
The Seasiders have just been relegated to Step 6 of the Non-League Pyramid.
There will also be matches against other Step 6 sides, Holland and newly-promoted Kings Park Rangers, who have just won the Essex and Suffolk Border League. We met the latter in pre-season last year, winning 2-1 on the Oak.
Step 4 opposition will be faced when Stanway Rovers and Brantham Athletic both visit.
Stanway have just been crowned Essex Senior League champions, while Brantham won the Thurlow Nunn League’s Premier Division. Both will now play in the Isthmian League in 2025/26.
The Brantham game, on July 22, will conclude pre-season with the Shrimpers’ first league match of the season due to take place on Saturday July 26.
Sadly, hopes that the club would be able to attract Premier League or EFL opposition as part of its 150th anniversary celebrations have been dashed.
Despite several such clubs being contacted, no such pre-season friendly was able to be arranged.
Meanwhile, it is expected that the FA Cup extra preliminary round will be played on Saturday August 2, although that is yet to be confirmed by the FA.
Harwich will be competing in the competition for the first time in six years.

Full pre-season fixture list:
Sat Jul 5 – Clacton (3pm)
Sat Jul 12 – Stanway Rovers (3pm)
Tue Jul 15 – Holland (7.45pm)
Sat Jul 19 – KPR (3pm)
Tue Jul 22 – Brantham (7.45pm)