Saltash United’s first, second and third teams have announced their pre-season friendlies.

All six matches for the Ashes first team are against sides in the South West Peninsula League Premier West and East divisions.

First-team friendlies: Tuesday, July 4 – Wadebridge Town (h), Saturday, July 8 – St Austell (h), Tuesday, July 11 – Sticker (h), Saturday, July 15 – Stoke Gabriel (h), Tuesday, July 18 – Bude Town (h), Saturday, July 22 – Dartmouth (a).

Second-team friendlies: Saturday, July 8 – Windmill FC (h), Wednesday, July 12 – Plym Tree Blues (a), Saturday, July 15 – Lakeside Seconds (h), Tuesday, July 18 – Elburton Villa (a), Saturday, July 22 – Ivybridge Town (h), Tuesday, July 25 – St Blazey Reserves (a).

Third-team friendlies: Saturday, July 15 – FC Brunel (a), Saturday, July 22 – Millbridge Res (a), Tuesday, July 25 – Drake (h), Saturday, July 29 – Central Park (h), Saturday, August 5 – Marjon Res (h), Tuesday, August 8 – Gunnislake Res (h).  

Meanwhile, Buckland Athletic have added former Saltash United player-boss Danny Lewis to their management team, and also signed Ashes midfielder Callum  Watson and defender Sam Leary.

It was widely predicted Lewis would join up with his good friend and former Ashes team-mate Dan Hart, the Buckland manager, when Lewis stood down from his role at Waterways Stadium at the end of the season.

Now the move to Homers Heath has been confirmed, with Lewis returning to the club where he was captain until he left in the 2013-14 season, after making 152 appearances and scoring 26 goals. 

Lewis commented: “Buckland is a club I have always been excited about and a club I hold close to my heart.

“I’ve always been made to feel welcome here and this is now an opportunity to remain in management but return to Homers Heath alongside Dan.

“This club has plenty of ambition and I am looking forward to contributing to make this a special season and at a special place.”

Lewis joins the existing management team of Hart, Craig Hutcheson, Pedro Castro Silva and Paige Burrows.

Hart said: “To be able to bring Danny back to Buckland is something I’m extremely proud of. We are close friends, have been team-mates before in a successful environment and share a very similar outlook on how the game should be played.

“He is a winner and his loyalty to the clubs he has represented is unquestionable. I’m very excited to get to work with Danny, the fantastic group of players we already have and the new additions to come in.”

Buckland director of football Adam Castle was involved at the club during Lewis’ first stint at Buckland, and said: “When managing the reserve side in 2013, Danny was clearly a leader within the first team and so it is no surprise that he’s gone on to be involved in management.

“Having Danny back at the club should give everyone a boost and this step is a reminder to both the players and supporters that our goal this season, more than ever before, is promotion.” 

The 26-year-old Leary has won plenty of honours with Saltash, and Buckland manager Hart is delighted to sign him.

“Sam, I am sure, is an under-the-radar name, despite the successes he has had in the Saltash United team over the past few seasons,” said Hart.

“Much like Sam Morcom who joined the club last year, Sam Leary’s ability will shine in our environment at this club.

“He’s powerful, has shown the flexibility to operate in a number of roles, and will be a massive asset to the group.

“Leary is a top character but also professional in the way he lives his life and also carries this into his love for the game.”

On the signing of 24-year-old former Tavistock midfielder Watson, Hart added: “I’m incredibly pleased to have Callum agree to join our football club.

“Danny, Craig, Pedro and I have worked very hard to identify the right characters that will aid everything we want to achieve.

“Importantly, despite several offers from top clubs, Callum can see our level of ambition and the touch of class this club possesses.

“I’m very hopeful that he’s another fantastic, young man and player who will find a footballing home here.”

Buckland have also signed 32-year-old striker Josh Grant from Southern League side Tavistock.