CHRIS Wigger begins his third season in charge of the Blues this weekend, and Leiston start their 15th campaign in total at Step 3, as they head to Leicestershire to play newly promoted Anstey Nomads in the season opener (3pm kick off).

Leiston have won five, drawn one and lost one of their seven pre-season friendly matches, scoring 20 goals in the process.

Anstey Nomads, meanwhile, won their respective division last campaign, winning the Northern Premier League Division One Midlands.

The Blues will have club captain Seb Dunbar back involved for the match and Fraser Alexander, both players missed the final friendly game with Lowestoft Town last Saturday, with the sides drawing 1-1.

MEET ANSTEY NOMADS

THE Leicestershire side were formed in March 1946, by a merger of Anstey Methodist’s and St Mary’s, going under the name of Anstey Meths and Mary’s.

They played in the Leicestershire Senior League in their early years and in 1952 won the First Division. They left the Leicestershire League in 1956 and started to play in Division One South of the Central Alliance.

The club re-joined the Leicestershire League in 1973, winning Division Two at their first attempt. They also won Division One once again a season later before winning the Premier Division back-to back between 1981 and 1983.

The side were transferred to the United Counties League in 2017 and they were promoted in the first season after being runners-up. The club has since won a couple of promotions to reach Step 3 football. They did, however, lose to Harborough Town and Worcester City in two consecutive seasons before winning their respective Step 4 league last time out.

They are managed by Conrad Logan, with the keeper making more than 200 appearances for the side between 2021 and 2025 before taking over the helm as manager.

Ex-Ipswich Town player Martyn Waghorn signed for the club in December 2025, while David Nugent is also involved with the club.

August Fixtures for the Blues

Tuesday 11th: Bishop’s Stortford (H) 7.45pm kick off
Saturday 15th: Rushall Olympic (H) 3pm kick off
Saturday 22nd: Stourbridge (A) 3pm kick off
Saturday 29th: Redditch United (H) 3pm kick off
Monday 31st: Bury Town (A) 3pm kick off

MATCH INFORMATION
Anstey Nomads v Blues
Pitching In Southern League Premier Division Central
Saturday, August 8, 3pm kick off
Marks Electrical Arena, Cropston Road, Anstey, Leicestershire, LE7 7BP

Game 1/42