WHEN players enter the home changing rooms at Bromsgrove Rovers they will be reminded of what is demanded from the club by a new motto.

The words - 'Pride, Honour, Passion' - are painted on the wall and are one of the first things the players see when they enter the home dressing room.

And it's a message that manager Rod Brown wants to ram home to his squad.

When the home team's changing rooms were increased in size during the close season the Rovers boss took the opportunity to have the message spelled out to his players.

He said: "I think those three words get across what I want from the players. It dominates the changing rooms and really rams the point home.

"I had it at Redditch United before and was eager to put it here as well. Those three words also epitomise non-league football for me.

"I think a player should have the pride playing for Bromsgrove Rovers, they should feel honoured to be selected for the first team and they should have the passion to play the game.

"If they have those three elements and combine them with hard work then there's every chance they can win things and have a good season.

"Rovers use to be a club that was right at the top of the non-league and when players came here they used to have all three of those elements.

"I want to get back to that again, with the players busting a gut to play for the side."

Brown also admitted that a strong start to the pre-season was down to training. Rovers have started pre-season preparations by beating Hednesford Town and Moor Green, although they did lose to Kidderminster on Sunday.

"We concentrated on fitness the first few weeks and didn't really use the ball, which is unusual for me. But it's really worked as they lads' fitness has been very good."

Another new signing for Rovers is the veteran former Worcester City central defender, Carl Heeley, a vital addition by Brown after losing the services of Exodus Geohagan and Ross Collins.

He's the sixth new face to join the Victoria Ground ranks in the run up to the new season. Heeley, now 36, spent last season at Hinckley United and before that had 10 years at St George's Lane. Also in are Richard Burgess from Stourport, Halesowen's Stuart Skidmore, Daire Doyle and Mark Taylor from Redditch and Hednesford's Nathan Lamey.

And there could be a seventh with discussions under way with another former Worcester player, Paul Carty, who could return to the Rovers.

"I think we are now putting into place the sort of team I envisaged - one of youth and experience. I'm very pleased with the players we have brought in as many of them are more than capable of playing at a higher level.