ANDY Preece is hoping Wor-cester City's pre-season friendlies can attract bumper gates to St George's Lane.

City have announced six warm-up dates ahead of the new Blue Square North campaign, three of which are against League One opposition.

Yeovil Town, Walsall and a Nottingham Forest XI will all visit the Lane, while League Two Stockport County are also in the diary.

A match against tenants Evesham United and a trip to Bromsgrove Rovers completes the programme.

Preece is delighted with the fixtures and believes they can only be positive for the club.

He said: "I am pleased that we have got those games. If you compare them to other clubs there won't be too many with better fixtures.

"I have used a lot of contacts to get those friendlies and hopefully that will help with money coming into St George's Lane.

"Hopefully if they go well and we do well with the crowds, the board will look to support me budget-wise.

"We have seen what an attractive side Yeovil are, Stockport did well last year and the Forest game almost sells itself so I would hope we would get some goood crowds."

He added: "They are tough but it's good because it pushes the players to the limit.

"For fitness levels it's really good because a lot of the time the players are going to be chasing the ball.

"It's a good incentive for them to play and it shows what's required if they want to play at that level."

Chairman Dave Boddy added: "Three League One clubs is an attractive proposition. I think the Yeovil game is the pick of the games.

"There's a big tradition and history between the two clubs and Yeovil made the League One play-off final which was an amazing achievement in itself. Quality opposition in pre-season can only help."