GLASSBOYS boss Gary Hackett is looking forward to facing local rivals Halesowen Town after it was announced that both teams would be playing in the Southern Premier League next season.

Stourbridge, who again suffered play-off heartache this campaign, will now be joined by neighbours Halesowen for the 2014/15 season.

Although a move to the Northern Premier League had looked a possibility for the Amblecote outfit, in the end it is The Yeltz who make the sideways move after their promotion as champions of the Northern Premier League Division One South. Corby Town will ply their trade in the north in exchange.

Hackett said: “It is great that we will get to play Halesowen next season. There will be two massive games and it is really good for the area.

“It adds a lot of spice to the season and we are looking forward to it.”

“The structure of the league does make it difficult for us at times, but with Halesowen coming in and a few other new additions I think it could be kinder to us this time around.”

Other newcomers will be Dorchester Town and Histon, who were both relegated from the Conference regional divisions, Cirencester Town, Paulton Rovers, Dunstable Town and Slough Town.

Meanwhile, leaving the division as expected are promoted Hemel Hempstead Town and St Albans City and relegated Bedford Town, Bashley and AFC Totton.

The 2014/15 season kicks off on Saturday, August 9.

Stourbridge are now preparing to start contract talks with a host of players as plans are put in place to form next season’s squad.

The clubs’ annual presentation night was held in the Glassboys Bar last Friday.

The Supporters’ Player of the Year went to Sean Geddes, and he also scooped the Top Goalscorer award.

Meanwhile, long-serving midfielder Leon Broadhurst picked up the Committee Player of the Year Award as well as the Players’ Player of the Year.

The Man of the Match winner was Ben Billingham.

The manager’s Player of the Year Award went to Will Richards in his first season with the Glassboys. The Club Person of the Year Award was presented to Elaine Thomas.

A friendly match away at Stratford Town on Saturday, July 26 (3 pm kick off) has been added to the Glassboys' pre-season schedule.

The programme will start with a game against Kidderminster Harriers at home on Tuesday, July 15 (7.45pm kick off).

Other matches have also been arranged away to Boldmere St Michaels and Stourport Swifts, both of the Midland Alliance, Evesham United of the Southern League South and West Division, Conference side Solihull Moors and Sutton Coldfield Town of the Northern Premier League Division One South.

Details of the games can be found on the club's website.