The squad, numbering around 17 at present, will head for Fife on Thursday evening for a closed door match against Burntisland Shipyard.

The signed players will be bolstered by a number of trialists as manager Dick Campbell bids to boost the squad ahead of the start of the season proper towards the end of the month.

The first opportunity the fans will have to see the Loons in action will be this coming Saturday, when Highland League outfit Buckie Thistle visit Station Park.

Forfar will be at home again on Tuesday evening of next week when Brechin City will provide the opposition, Hibs reserves next up on the Thursday evening (July 17).

The new Forfar boss has made four new signings to date, in addition to persuading a number of out-of-contract players to put pen to paper for another season.

The new men on the block are midfielders Kevin McLeish and Craig Winter, defender Pat Keogh and striker Derek Lilley.

Their number may be increased over the course of the next week or so, after the manager has seen his trialists in match action.

"I am still negotiating with players at the moment, but I have bags of patience," said Campbell on Monday.



The pre-season games will tune the side up for the opening fixtures of the 2008-2009 campaign, which aren't that far off.

Indeed, two weeks on Saturday, Forfar will head for Arbroath for the opening round of the Challenge Cup, with the league curtain-raiser, the following Saturday, taking the Loons to Cliftonhill and a meeting with Albion Rovers.

It is understood that the draw for the opening round of the CIS Cup will take place on Tuesday, July 22.