Oxford City boss Mike Ford has hailed the capture of goalkeeper Jason Mooney from League One side Wycombe Wanderers.

Mooney has joined the Southern League Premier Division club on loan for an initial three-month period from the Adams Park outfit where he has signed non-contract terms.

“They (Wycombe) want him to go out and play competitive matches to aid his development,” said Ford.

“He stands at 6 ft 9ins and will be a massive presence in between the sticks.”

It follows the capture of former Oxford United hitman Steve Basham, Josh Green (Brackley), Nick Stanley (Leamington), Declan Benjamin and Adam Learoyd (both Banbury United).

City will be without skipper Liam Malone, who has switched to fellow Southern League side Hemel Hempstead Town, while defender James Clarke is set to play in South Africa.

“Liam made me aware last week of his intentions and the reasons why he was leaving,” said boss Mike Ford.

“Both Learoyd and Green have a lot of games under their belts at this level, while Nick is a left-sided wide player who chips in with a dozen goals a season.

“Declan lives only ten minutes from the ground and I felt a player of his talent shouldn’t be travelling past our ground to go and play for somebody else.”

Banbury United will host a Northampton Town XI on Friday, July 22, as part of their build-up to their Premier Division campaign.

Pre-season friendlies: Thurs July 14: Daventry Tn (h); Sat July 16: Wantage Tn (a); Fri July 22: Northampton Tn XI (h); Sat July 30: Wellingborough Tn (h); Tues Aug 2: Abingdon Tn (h); Sat Aug 6: Didcot Tn (h).

Division 1 South & West side Didcot Town have suffered a double blow after midfielder Michael Alexis and defender Morgan Williams joined Hemel Hempstead.

Abingdon United return for pre-season training on June 28 ahead of their first friendly on Tuesday, July 12 when they travel to Winchester City.

Pre-season friendlies: Tues July 12: Winchester City (a); Sat July 16: Reading Tn (a); Sat July 23: Easington Sp (a); Tues July 26: Swindon Supermarine (a); Sat July 30: Woodford Utd (a); Tues Aug 2: Oxford City (h); Sat Aug 6: Cirencester Tn (h); Tues Aug 9: Abingdon Tn (h).

  • KIDLINGTON are looking for a new chairman after Lloyd Wray stepped down at the Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division club due to work commitments.

Those interested in the job should contact secretary David Platt on 07956 531185 or at david.platt45@googlemail.com The club, who will be sponsored by Bright Future Lighting this season, have appointed Lewis Cuss and John-Paul Hannaway as joint managers of their reserve team.

  • NORTH Berks League side AFC Wallingford have appointed youth team coach and ex-player Duncan Mit-chell as their new manager.