FAIRFIELD Villa face the prospect of replacing their entire strikeforce this term.

The village club have paid the price for an impressive season which saw them pipped for runners-up spot in Midland League Division Two on goal difference by Hinckley based side Leicester Road.

Long serving Fairfield boss Paul Oakes was already resigned to losing top marksman Connor Collins to Northern Premier League side Halesowen Town while partner in crime John Pykett switches to Bromsgrove Sporting.

Now Oakes must deal with a third departure as Ellis Blakemore looks destined to join Midland League Division One side Pershore Town.

Oakes openly accepts the situation and said: "I can't have any complaints. All three are great kids and deserve their chance to play at a higher level.

"Connor is only 19 and has a big future. He could have gone to Worcester City last season after training with them, but chose to stay with us.

"He's had interest from a whole host of clubs including Redditch United, Solihull Moors and Hednesford Town in addition to Bromsgrove Sporting and Highgate United.

"But Connor's a rare breed, because he promised to stay with us until the end of the season and kept his word.

"He agreed to join Halesowen Town because he lives locally to them and doesn't drive. I knew by the amount of goals he scored last season that there would be a great deal of interest in him.

"John Pykett is the same. I brought him to Fairfield but he could have gone to Malvern Town last season. However I do believe he is going to Australia in the next two to three months.

"Ellis travels from Wolverhampton to play for Fairfield. He has connections with Bromsgrove and I believe he will do well at Pershore.

"I've already brought in Earl Jordan and Junior Hewitt as replacements. I know both of them from my days with Alverchurch's youth team.

"James Finn has arrived to join us from Cadbury Athletic to play in central defence and I've still got skipper Lewis Cosgrove and Ben Smith from last season.

"But I've also got two or three or players coming to Fairfield this season who I'm really excited about. But I'm keeping their identities under wraps at the moment in case anyone else gets wind of them and moves in!

Oakes hasn't held back as Fairfield return to pre-season training this week by arranging some tough pre-season friendlies.

They host Division One champions Highgate United in their opening friendly on July 11 and then travel to West Midlands League Division One winners Bromyard Town on July 18.

Fairfield will visit Cadbury Athletic on July 25 and then make the short trip to Studley on July 28, before entertaining West Midland Premier League side Dudley Sports on August 1.

A demanding pre-season campaign is completed on August 8 when they take on Redditch United Reserves.

Oakes is also on the lookout for sponsors. Anybody who can help should contact him on 07809 030946