By Richard Joyce

FOREST GREEN boss Mark Cooper is set to name a raft of first team players at Slimbridge tonight, 7.30pm.

Tonight’s team will feature Marcus Kelly, Darren Carter and summer signings Rhys Murphy and Matt Tubbs.

With another friendly run out scheduled for Brimscombe & Thrupp on Tuesday evening, Cooper’s squad is coming together nicely with the start of the league season less than a fortnight away.

Slimbridge will be holding a ceremony a short while before kick-off for the official renaming of their home ground, which will now be titled ‘Thornhill Park’ in memory of Evi Thornhill, a former chairman who left the land the club call home to Slimbridge in his will.

Slimbridge’s inaugural season in the Southern League South & West Division last term saw them claim an 18th place finish.

They had won promotion from the Western League at the end of the 2014-15 season to take their place in the Southern League, nearly a decade after previously achieving the same feat, only to have to pull out of the opportunity to move up a level.

They’re managed by long serving boss and former player Leon Sterling, who is assisted by ex-Cirencester Town man Freddy Ward – another who has worn the Slimbridge shirt over a lengthy period.

Their squad includes former Gloucester City full back Sam Turl, as well as Adam Mace who has plenty of non-league experience in Gloucestershire from spells with Bishop’s Cleeve and Shortwood.

Former FGR midfielder John Cant is a recent signing, while former Mangotsfield United man Alex Hoyle brings extra steel at the back.

Slimbridge’s pre-season has so far consisted of matches against Frome Town, Tytherington Rocks, Longlevens and Tuesday night opponents Brimscombe & Thrupp.