PICKERING Town will welcome a new face to the club when they kick-off their pre-season training on Tuesday, July 1 (7pm start).

Former Manchester United, Crewe Alexandra and Harrogate Town striker Ian Hart has agreed to join the Pikes for pre-season, a result of the fall-out from Paul Marshall's departure as manager of Harrogate Railway.

It is believed that former York City junior and fellow Station Viewer Steve Haddon could also join Hart at the Recreation Ground for the sessions.

Brown has pin-pointed the physical presence of Hart as the ideal replacement for Luke Ibbetson, who is poised to take up a four-year scholarship in America.

"Ian has said he will come along to pre-season with a view to signing for us this year," said Brown. "Luke Ibbetson is off to America for four days to look at the possibility of a four-year scholarship so that is one of the reasons why we have looked to bring Ian in.

"They are very similar players with their physical presence."

However, while Brown is going like-for-like up-front, the former York City kitman is just happy that nearly all of last season's squad seem set to stay.

"The majority of the squad will be back," added Brown. "That is pleasing, especially because of the way we played in the second half of last season.

"We made an effort to keep everyone together."

Anyone interested in taking part in the training at Pickering should contact Brown on 07950 356440.

Meanwhile, it seems Hart and Haddon may not be the only players to head out of Station View, with Kevin Smith teaming up with Bridlington Town and rumours suggesting leading scorer Steve Davey could be off to Goole. Nigel Danby and Ian McLean have also been linked to pastures new.

Updated: 09:53 Friday, June 27, 2003