Prior to the 2024 George Melling Tournament, the Ridge will travel to Pause United.

Pause United is an FA Accredited football club that includes a specific focus on well-being.

Learn more about the Morecambe based side that we travel to on 22nd June here: https://www.pauseunited.com/well-being

A week later, we host Darwen FC at the Recycling Lives Ground.

The First Division North suffered defeat to the Ridge in the pre-season of the 22/23 season with goals from Moses Yoak, Paul Turner and a trialist enough for a 3-0 victory at the Anchor Ground.

We then continue the GMT2024 preparation with a home tie against another First Division North side in Euxton Villa on Tuesday 2nd July at 3pm.

Town ran out 3-1 winners over Euxton last season in the Lancashire Challenge Trophy.

Five days later, the George Melling Tournament begins.

The draw will be completed shortly with Longridge, Bamber Bridge, Workington AFC, Clitheroe, Coppull United and Fulwood Amateurs set to fight it out over the course of Saturday 6th and Sunday 7th July for possession of the trophy.

A crowd of over 500 attended the two day tournament last year, be sure to attend this year for two days of non stop fantastic football action.

Following the conclusion of the GMT2024, Town host EFL League Two side Morecambe FC.

The Shrimps finished 15th in League Two and it shall be the first team that travels to Longridge on Saturday 13th July for a 3pm kick off.

The following Tuesday, The Ridge host another big club looking to make waves in English football as AFC Fylde make the trip over from the coast for a 7pm kick off.

The Coasters finished 18th in the National League after running out 4-1 winners at the Recycling Lives last pre-season.

We then host local side Lostock St Gerards on Thursday 18th July at 7:45pm.

Ashcroft's men kicked off the 23/24 pre-season with a 4-1 victory away at Lostock last season where Leighton Hewitt burst onto the scene with a late brace to confirm a comfortable victory.

We then round off our 2024/25 season preparations with two final home matches.

The first, against Northern Premier League playoff chasers Hyde United on Saturday July 20th at 3pm.

The Tigers ran out 3-0 winners at Longridge last pre-season before going on to finish 6th in the Northern Premier League.

To conclude our pre-season, we host local West Lancashire Football League side Chipping FC.

It kicks off just four days before the opening day of the 24/25 NWCFL Premier Division season on Tuesday 23rd July at 7:45pm.

We look forward to welcoming you all back to the Recycling Lives Ground as we look to once again push the boundaries of the football club.

Back your local side.

You can find our full pre-season schedule below.

June

Pause United (A) - Saturday 22nd June - 3pm
Darwen FC (H) - Saturday 29th June - 3pm

July

Euxton Villa (H) - Tuesday 2nd June - 7:45pm
George Melling Tournament Day 1 - Saturday 6th July
George Melling Tournament Day 2 - Sunday 7th July
Morecambe FC (H) - Saturday 6th July - 3pm
AFC Fylde (H) - Tuesday 16th July - 7pm
Lostock St Gerards (H) - Thursday 18th July - 7:45pm
Hyde United (H) - Saturday 20th July - 3pm
Chipping FC (H) - Tuesday 23rd July - 7:45pm

Opening Day of the League Season - Saturday 27th July - 3pm

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