Salisbury FC’s season begins this Saturday (10th August) away to Hemel Hempstead. It is the club’s first season in the Vanarama National League South after gaining promotion in a dramatic play-off final against AFC Totton at the end of last season.

Brian Dutton has made some changes to the squad but has retained the core of the team that won promotion.

Numerous players, including Luke Wilkinson, George Franklin, Rafa Ramos, Jordan Ragguette, Craig Fasanmade and Ronan Silva, are looking to make their competitive debut.

Salisbury have had mixed results in pre-season, picking up a comfortable win against Laverstock and a victory against Winchester City.

A draw in a hastily arranged game against Wimborne Town before the defeat against Woking.

In the last game of the pre-season, the Whites lost to Gosport Borough, their semi-final opponents in last season’s play-offs.

Hemel Hempstead has been in the National League South since 2014.

Last season they finished 20th out of 24 clubs and narrowly avoided relegation.

Hemel also had a mixed pre-season, playing against a variety of opponents from both higher and lower leagues. In their last friendly they lost 3-2 to Wealdstone of the National League.

Like Salisbury, the Tudors have brought in new players, including young defender Ben Tompkins from Luton Town.

The young defender spent last season with Braintree, who were promoted from this league, with Tompkins making 37 appearances.

You can purchase your tickets in advance on the Hemel Hempstead website – https://www.hemelfc.com/ and then click on “Tickets”.

If you can’t attend the game, you can listen to the commentary, with coverage starting at 2pm ahead of kick-off at 3pm. https://salisburyradio.co.uk

The new partnership with Salisbury Radio will see Andy Munns and Ian Pearson commentating on every away game this season and providing live updates from every home game. You can hear the commentary on DAB, online and on smart speakers.

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Visitor information from the Hemel Hempstead Town Council website:

Address: The Focus Community Arena, Vauxhall Road, Hemel Hempstead, Herts, HP2 4HW ​

Arriving by car M25 – Take junction 21 to the M1 North M1 – Take junction 8 to Hemel Hempstead A41 – Take the Hemel Hempstead exit ​

Nearest train station: Hemel Hempstead (London Northwestern Railway) The stadium is a 45-minute walk from the station or a 6-8-minute taxi ride.

About the Focus Community Arena
Access to the ground is via our main entrance on Vauxhall Road. The main turnstiles are opposite the main gates. Additional turnstiles are used for busy games. As you enter the ground you can purchase a programme and grab some food from our burger stand. The clubhouse/bar is further to the right and the toilets are in the bottom corner. To the left of this is our club shop.

There are large covered terraces at the top of the stadium and a covered seating stand on the opposite side of the pitch from where you enter the stadium. At the bottom of the stadium (to the right of the entrance) there is a covered seating stand behind the goal. Programmes cost £3.00 and are available at the stadium.

Park
There is a small car park on Vauxhall Road and supporters can park there for a charge of £5 per car (season ticket holders and boardroom guests get in free). Vauxhall Road is a busy residential road and like the car park, the whole area fills up quickly. To avoid congestion, you should try to park outside the area. If you do park nearby, please do so with consideration and respect for our neighbours.