Peterborough Sports boss confident he can bring the good times back to PIMS Park

Sports suffered a miserable 2025-26 season which ended in relegation from National League North. There has since been a huge turnover of players as well as the arrival of a new manager as sights are set on an immediate return to step two football by winning promotion from the Southern Premier Division Central.

The city side open their season at newly-promoted Racing Club Warwick on Saturday (August 8). They finished pre-season with a creditable 2-2 home draw with higher level Harborough Town, a result achieved despite falling 2-0 down inside the first 20 minutes. Leon Lobjoit quickly pulled a goal back before Ben Beresford equalised midway through the second-half.

“In the second-half we played with the aggression I always demand from my teams,” Drury told Peterborough Community Radio. “That’s what I am about and if the players listen to me I will win them 15 points every season. The players listened at half-time on Saturday and I was proud of how they responded because they could have sulked after falling 2-0 down against a very strong side.

"I’m always excited about the start of a season. I love football. I’m on it 24/7 and never switch off, and I’m so confident I can deliver a good season for this club.

"I know how to build a team. There will probably be hiccoughs along the way, but if the fans stay patient and trust me and these players we will do well.”

Sports have selection issues for Saturday. Forward Luca Miller and midfielder Harry Vince picked up injuries in the Harborough game, while former Posh youth team midfielder Michael Richens has carried a four-game suspension over from last season. Another midfielder, Finn O’Boyle is also suspended from the first game of the season.

Sports have a tough start to the season. They follow the opening game with home matches against Stourbridge and hot title favourites Real Bedford.

"They are all big games,” Drury added. “You have play every team twice and it doesn’t matter when those games take place. If we press and play with aggression like we did against Harborough in the second-half we can beat anyone. I want a very aggressive style of football. I want us to be aggressive winning the ball back and aggressive when getting the ball moving forward. I also want us to be brave and be prepared to go one-on-one at the back.

"We have had RC Warwick watched twice so we will be prepared for them. It’s a 3G pitch so we will train at Netherton United this week. We are light on numbers, but we will pick a team capable of winning the game.”

Former Posh record signing Britt Assombalonga came on at half-time against Sports.