The summer's main event – the Ashes – has not yet begun and pre-season football is upon us,

writes Ian Lamont

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Cricket is of no concern to Croydon Athletic, who have promotion from Ryman League Division One South to mastermind.

To that end, they have scrapped their own reserves and evicted AFC Wimbledon's reserves to preserve the pitch.

Chairman Dean Fisher said: "We looked at the reserves in as much as we want to concentrate everything on the first team and getting promotion.

"One of the things was to keep the use of the playing surface to the least number of games, so we also took the decision not to renew the contract with AFC Wimbledon."

The Dons brought in "an income", he said, but with the Rams not being able to charge as much as wanted for entry and having to open the stadium and pay staff and running costs, "we were probably making a loss".

The pitch will be better off by at least 35 games, but it is a disappointment for the reserves, who earned promotion last term.

However, Fisher added: "Even though they were promoted to the Suburban Premier, the level of football was not that good and we found that first team fringe squad players were not getting a lot out of it.

"It was good football for youth players stepping up, but we were struggling to field a side by the end because those from different teams would have been playing too much.

"We've decided to build working relationships with clubs at Step 5 level and give players more competitive football."

Croydon, Epsom & Ewell and Banstead Athletic, all of the Combined Counties League, would be the nearest clubs.

The first pre-season game will be against Ryman Premier champions Dover Athletic on July 16, with high-profile games including League One Gillingham.

Rams boss Tim O'Shea, who played for the Gills, has used his friendship with their boss Mark Stimson to ensure a first-team will visit the Keith Tuckey Stadium.

The season starts on August 15, with the fixtures announced on July 15.

The FA Cup preliminary round has pitted the Rams at home to Godalming Town, while Whyteleafe host Uxbridge, on August 29. Croydon host Shoreham in the extra preliminary round on August 15. The winners entertain Ashford.

Pre-season – Croydon Athletic: Thur July 16, Dover Athletic (h) 7.45pm; Sat July 18 Maidstone United (h) 3pm; Thurs July 30 Gillingham (h) 7.45pm; Sat August 1 Ballymena Utd, Belfast (a) 7.45pm; Wed August 5 Waltham Forest (a) 7.45pm; Sat August 8 Brentwood (a) 3pm.

Whyteleafe: July 18 Carshalton Ath (h) 3pm; July 21 Tooting (h) 7:45pm; July 23 Eastbourne United (h) 7:45pm; July 25 Hailsham T (a) 1pm; July 28th Bridon Ropes (a -tbc); August 1 St Francis Athletic (a) 3pm; August 8 Tilbury (h) 3pm.