COMPETITIVE football returns to the Victoria Ground tomorrow night (Thursday) as Bromsgrove Rovers entertain AFC Wombourne in a pre-season friendly.

It has been a summer of turmoil off the field so far as Rovers have been embroiled in a bitter battle with new club Bromsgrove Sporting for the lease on the Birmingham Road site.

Rovers are contesting a decision by Bromsgrove District Council to make Sporting their preferred bidder for the lease, which will be officially handed over on August 7, a week before the start of the season.

They claim the process of granting the lease was not transparent and are demanding Bromsgrove Sporting’s submitted bid is made public under the the terms of the Freedom of Information act.

But the district council have denied the request under section 43 as release of the information is likely to prejudice the commercial interest of Bromsgrove Sporting Ltd and the document also contains personal information about the applicants.

Owner Mike Ward has also accused the council of putting the club’s future in jeopardy by not giving them a letter for the Southern League, guaranteeing they can play on the Victoria Ground.

But the council say it is a matter for Sporting and Rovers to sort out amongst themselves.

On the field, Rovers started their pre-season programme with a 2-2 draw at Alvechurch last night and entertain Stourbridge on Saturday (3pm).

Manager Steve Daniels was expected to field a number of new faces at Lye Meadow last night including former Walsall trainee and Kidderminster Harriers forward Dion Scott.

Meanwhile in the FA Cup, Rovers have been drawn away to either Pilkington XXX or Rocester in the preliminary round, the game to be played on Saturday August 28.

If they win they will be at home to Boldmere St Michael’s, Market Drayton or Westfields in the first qualifying round.

In the FA Trophy, they are at home to Frome Town in the preliminary round on October 2 and if they win are away to Evesham in the first qualifying round on October 16.

The Southern League fixtures are due to be published today (Thursday).

Over 200 people attended a charity fete and football match between the parents of pupils at Charford Junior School and Bromsgrove Rovers at the Victoria Ground on Saturday.

They raised money for the PTA at Charford and long serving Rovers player Kevin Banner was presented with a cheque from his testimonial year.

The AFC Wombourne friendly will cost £3 for spectators to get in and Rovers are at home to Stourbridge on Saturday (3pm).

lBromsgrove Sporting start their pre-season friendly programme with a game against Glades FC at Lugtrout Lane, Solihull on Saturday (3pm).

It will be the first proper workout for Myles Day’s team after three weeks of pre season workouts.

They will also be in action on Saturday July 24 at Stratford Town as part of an open and family fun day which will feature free admission to the game.

Other friendlies pencilled in include: Friday July 30-Cradley Town (a); Tuesday August 3- Stourport Swifts (a); Saturday July 14-Romulus (h).

The club has also announced to he creation of an under 18 youth team to play in the Midland Floodlit Youth League.

A training day is being held at Bromsgrove Rugby Club on Saturday 11am-1pm where anyone who is 15 years old on September 1 can come and try out .

An under-13s team has also been set up.

LOYALTY REWARDED: Pete O’Connell from the Bromsgrove Rovers supporters society presents Kevin Banner with a tankard as a reward for his years of service to the club. Picture Lisa Bedi.