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Shrimpers ready to begin new season
Andrew Schooler
Bosses target improvement on last term ahead of Hutton clash at the Royal Oak on Saturday.
The new-look Harwich and Parkeston first team kick-off their new season on Saturday (August 1) at the Gwinnell and Sons Royal Oak.
Newly-promoted Hutton – winners of the Thurlow Nunn League's Division One South last term – are the Shrimpers’ opponents for their opening Essex Senior League game of the 2026/27 campaign.
The Harwich side is likely to be considerably different to the one that finished last season, with a number of new arrivals over the summer and a few notable departures.
New signings who could play include striker Joe Wood, who played at Braintree and Clacton last season. He scored five times in pre-season.
Keeper Sam Felgate has returned to the club from Stanway Pegasus, while Leo Carty is also back at the Oak. Charlie Cook (ex-Wivenhoe), Josh Hawkins, Pierce Tamplin and Munashe Chirimuuta are among the other new faces.
Lewis Wood is arguably the marquee summer signing but the former Little Oakley centre-back has a three-match ban to serve so won't play on the opening day.
The most notable departures are Brad Cook, Jack Wood and Luke Mayhew, all of whom played more than 150 times for the club and were part of the team which won promotion to the ESL in 2024/25.
Last season - HPFC’s first in the ESL – saw the Shrimpers finish 13th and joint-manager Sean Tynan says he and fellow boss Matt Carmichael have set a target of finishing further up the table this time around.
Sean said: “Our management team goal is to hopefully finish higher than the 13th position we finished last season in, and have some good cup runs.
“We also want to play an attractive type of football that supporters can be proud of.”
It is hoped a good crowd will be present for the season-opener.
Entry prices have been frozen at last season’s levels – adults £8, concessions £5, under-16s free.
The social club bar and tea hut will be open, as usual.
Newly-promoted Hutton – winners of the Thurlow Nunn League's Division One South last term – are the Shrimpers’ opponents for their opening Essex Senior League game of the 2026/27 campaign.
The Harwich side is likely to be considerably different to the one that finished last season, with a number of new arrivals over the summer and a few notable departures.
New signings who could play include striker Joe Wood, who played at Braintree and Clacton last season. He scored five times in pre-season.
Keeper Sam Felgate has returned to the club from Stanway Pegasus, while Leo Carty is also back at the Oak. Charlie Cook (ex-Wivenhoe), Josh Hawkins, Pierce Tamplin and Munashe Chirimuuta are among the other new faces.
Lewis Wood is arguably the marquee summer signing but the former Little Oakley centre-back has a three-match ban to serve so won't play on the opening day.
The most notable departures are Brad Cook, Jack Wood and Luke Mayhew, all of whom played more than 150 times for the club and were part of the team which won promotion to the ESL in 2024/25.
Last season - HPFC’s first in the ESL – saw the Shrimpers finish 13th and joint-manager Sean Tynan says he and fellow boss Matt Carmichael have set a target of finishing further up the table this time around.
Sean said: “Our management team goal is to hopefully finish higher than the 13th position we finished last season in, and have some good cup runs.
“We also want to play an attractive type of football that supporters can be proud of.”
It is hoped a good crowd will be present for the season-opener.
Entry prices have been frozen at last season’s levels – adults £8, concessions £5, under-16s free.
The social club bar and tea hut will be open, as usual.
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