ADAM Shillcock has big ambitions for Whitchurch Alport Football Club and making the Reds a major player in Shropshire football.

Shillcock returned to the Yockings Park club last month following the departure of the long-serving Luke Goddard.

The ex-Market Drayton Town boss has endured a tough tenure so far with the Reds in need of a rebuild but remain among Shropshire’s leading non-league clubs in the Midlands Premier League.

This weekend sees the Reds in FA Vase action at Biggleswade United as Shillcock plots to continue their run in the competition.

“It’s imperative we continue our momentum in this competition,” said Shillcock. ”To create some sort of momentum at the moment has been really difficult with all the adverse weather conditions.

“It feels like we are constantly stuck in a state of flux but we are building something here with a group of players hungry for success.”

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Shillcock called for patience from supporters this season as the club looked to set itself on the path toward a successful future.

The Reds have made several signings while Shillcock has managed to retain the services of key components of Goddard’s tenure, including forward and club captain Alex Hughes.

He said: “I’m clear on the vision for our town’s football club and in some respects we must take one step back to go two steps forward to align to our short, medium and long term goals. I don’t want us to be a team in Shropshire, I want us to be ‘the’ team in Shropshire.”

New signing Ben Guest will be added to the Alport squad for the weekend tie with the 20 year old midfielder arriving from JD Cymru North side Guilsfield having previously come through the ranks at JD Cymru Premier side Newtown.

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Guest has previous experience with Shawbury United and joins the Reds in time for the weekend clash in Bedfordshire with a home tie against  Fakenham Town or Great Wakering Rovers the reward for the victors.

“We’ve improved our squad and there is now healthy competition across all departments with our recent signing Ben Guest from Guilsfield likely to make the squad for Saturday,” said Shillcock. 

“Ben fits the profile of what we are looking to do - Guesty’s talent is underpinned by hard work and dedication and I’m excited to see what he can bring to Alport.”

However Junior Brown looks certain to miss out through injury while several others are fitness concerns ahead of the trip to the Spartan South Midlands Football League club.

Shillcock backed his players to prevail in Bedfordshire and keep their Wembley dreams alive while also ensuring plenty of motivation for the remainder of the Midlands Premier League campaign.

Shillcock said: “I am looking for a high energy performance where players will need to show their quality. 

“Nothing else matters on Saturday afternoon but progression into the next round. It gives the lads as well as our fans the chance of something special, to play and to be part of the experience of getting to Wembley. That is what everyone at the club is fighting for.”