Rangers prepare to welcome Irish League champions

Rathfriland Rangers' new signings. From left to right: Peter McCann, Chris Frazer, Ross Doherty, Darryl Evans and Mark Winston.

The pair have held the first training session and have organised some pre-season friendlies.

Rangers have made a number of new signings, including Peter McCann, formerly of Portadown, Glenavon and Glentoran, former Lisburn Rangers players Ross Doherty, Daryl Evans, Mark Winston, and former Rathfriland FC player Chris Frazer, who is returning to the club.

The new signings trained alongside the nucleus of last season`s Division 1A Championship winning team, with the first training session of the new season getting off to an encouraging start.

New Rangers manager Paul Kirk (right) with new assistant manager Stephen Houston (centre) and Rangers Reserves assistant manager Gary Young.

A number of the Rathfriland Reserve and Youth players also competed in the session, creating a great blend of youth and experience and a great buzz to get the new campaign off to a positive start.

With some players still on holiday and more signings to be made, the club can hardly wait for the new season to kick off.

The friendly fixtures arranged so far are:

Fixtures are as follows:

Rathfriland v Crusaders, 23rd July - 2.30pm ko.

Rathfriland v Warrenpoint, 26th July - 7.45pm ko.

Abbey Villa v Rathfriland, 30th July- ko tbc.

18th Newtownabbey v Rathfriland (double header) 2nds 1.00pm ko, 1sts 2.45pm ko, 6th August.

Elsewhere, the June committee meeting and AGM will take place at the clubrooms this Thursday 30th June at 7pm.