Cranbrook Football Club have been confirmed as a Division Five team in next season’s Devon and Exeter Football League.

The league held their annual general meeting at America Hall, Pinhoe, at the end of last week when the makeup of the divisions for next season was confirmed.

Cranbrook will line up alongside Awliscombe, Bampton Reserves, Bravehearts, Central, Culm United, Devon Yeoman, Dunkeswell Rovers, Exmouth Spartans, Sidmouth Town, Starcross Generals, Upottery Reserves, Wellington A and Westexe Park Rangers.

In terms of next season’s local derby matches, Cranbrook will not have far to travel to face Awliscombe, Culm United, Bravehearts, Exmouth Spartans, Sidmouth Town thirds, Upottery Reserves or Dunkeswell Rovers.

Indeed, the furthest trek looks to be the one out to Bampton and also down to Starcross Generals.

Cranbrook manager Jon Martin spoke after the league meeting and he said: “We will once again be facing seven teams we met last season and that suggests it is going to be a tough campaign as I know there are some good sides in that divisional make-up.”

He continued: “It’s a concern in as much as, from last season, I have lost a couple of players and so am actively looking to recruit some new faces.

“I have had some interest from a couple of lads and am still looking for more and would particularly like to recruit a strike. I am always keen to hear from players who will strengthen our squad.”

There’s some exciting news for the club in terms of the ‘off the pitch’ work that is on-going and it is the signing of a sponsorship with Arconic Howmet, who have kindly agreed to sponsor club tracksuits for next season.

Team boss Jon Martin says: “It’s really good that we have been able to attract sponsorship from Arconic Howmet, and I am keen to find someone who will sponsor the players’ polo tops.”

It might be the ‘close season’ but, as the Cranbrook boss says: “The work is always on-going! I am thrilled that we are going to be using the Cranberry Farm pub as our home ‘base’ next season and we shall be having food put on by the good folk at the pub for our players and the away team after each of our home games.”

Martin has yet to name a date for the return of the players. He says: “I have not announced a date for our first pre-season meeting yet, but will get that organised in due course. We are still training, as we do, all year round at the Cranbrook Education Campus and I am always delighted to welcome new players to the Wednesday night sessions. Indeed, if there are new folk into Cranbrook, and the wider beyond, reading this, who would like to enjoy a new, vibrant and progressive football club then I’d love to meet them. Just come along on a Wednesday night and make yourself known.”

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