Holbeach United prepare for their new Thurlow Nunn League Division One North season.
Tigers boss Danny Clifton is hoping his side's first experience of the Thurlow Nunn League will stand them in good stead for the coming campaign.
Holbeach open their second term in Division One North with a home match against Cornard United at Carter's Park on Saturday.
Clifton's charges finished in 10th spot last season in their first campaign back at step six following relegation from the United Counties League Premier Division.
They looked set for a play-off push until the turn of the year when results started to drop off after a campaign where Holbeach drew 11 of their 36 league games.
Clifton commented: "I'm not saying we'll take the league by storm or anything like that but I am genuinely confident that we'll have a different approach this year and will surprise a few people, especially within the club.
"There has been a few eyebrows raised about the squad getting stronger but, from what I've seen in pre-season, it isn't about getting new players but using the experience which the current ones gained last year.
"The likes of Will Barnes, Luke Nicholson, Jordan Oldham, Kyle Compton, Harvey Wirkowski, Ryan Cook and John Yambasu look like the players that I would say we needed last year.
"These boys have looked like senior football players in our pre-season matches. Last year has really set them in good stead and they have really kicked on.
"I think we will be ok. I am really happy with the players which we have kept and we've got a good group."
The Tigers have lost the services of top scorer Cal Davies, defenders Fin and Harvey Henderson as well as Adrian Bilicz.
They have signed striker Connor Pilbeam to replace Davies who netted 22 times last season while youngster Tom Hoyle has also joined after being with the King's Lynn Town Academy.
Clifton added: "Pre-season has been really gruelling, especially with the whole player recruitment part.
"We have lost a key player in Cal. He's decided to give the higher level a go and you can't knock him for that but it is a blow for us.
"We have to move on though and Connor has made a difference. He's already scored five goals in three pre-season games.
"Harwich and Parkeston have a striker called Joe Knight who is a real handful and he's exactly the same type of player as Connor.
"He scored 30-plus goals last season and Connor can do exactly the same for us.
"We've retained George Frost, John Yambasu, Ryan Cook, Harvey Wirkowski and Kyle Compton so we've got a good front line. It's not necessary looking like we will miss Cal as much as we first thought."
Reserve team players Tommy Coote and Josh Ling have also been promoted to the first team ranks after impressing in pre-season.
Clifton said: "We've brought some lads through from the reserves and they've done really well in pre-season and impressed.
"It did become a bit panicky when a couple of players left but, when I sat down and looked at it, we've retained 15 players from last season.
"The majority of players have also come through the system so, for the club, it's a really good advert for them.
"We've now got players going into the reserve team who know that they will get opportunities further down the line."
Clifton will also have a new assistant this season after Chris Carter joined the club.
Carter has previously been with Wisbech St Mary and Swaffham and is a welcome addition to the management team.
Clifton explained: "Chris has been absolutely brilliant and knows the league and teams in this area. His knowledge will be valuable.
"We know the sort of places which we're going to this season and how to prepare for them. We just need to turn those draws into wins.
"We've got a reasonable start and, if you can pick up results, then you get momentum as well very quickly.
"We stopped believing in our style last season and how we were playing. We reverted to being counter-attacking and those draws turned into losses.
"We won't be doing that this season. We'll find a way of playing and stick to it. I believe in the players and I think they will do alright."
Holbeach rounded off their pre-season programme with a 4-0 home win over Oakham United on Wednesday night.
Ryan Cook, Sam Carter, Kyle Compton and Harvey Robertson netted for the Tigers.
