Steve Kittrick looking forward to next season

Last season, which ended in relegation from the Conference Premier, finished less than three weeks ago. But Kittrick is already excited about the prospect of pre-season training.

A date for the first training session back is expected to be agreed this week.

And Kittrick said: "I am looking forward to getting back to playing football again, getting into pre-season and getting a team together. That is the big thing."

Kittrick has made no secret of his belief that the division will be very challenging, but sees plenty of reasons to look forward to the campaign ahead.

He said: "There will be no easy games next season, but lots of competitive, entertaining games. A lot of teams are playing good football in the Conference North.

"There are going to be some really good teams in the division.

"Chorley and Fylde, who were probably the best footballing team in the league last season, FC United, Solihull Moors, Tamworth and Hednesford will all have good teams and there will be some good local derbies.

"And a lot of the lads that are coming out of full-time clubs are dropping down into the Conference and Conference North, so you are getting lads with a lot of technical ability there."

Before pre-season and the big kick-off comes a busy summer of rebuilding on the playing front.

The club released nine players last week and Kittrick is hopeful of retaining many of the remaining squad including Tony Gray, Godfrey Poku, James Montgomery, Sean Clancy and Ian Sharps.

Neill Byrne and Adam Farrell are contracted for next season and there will be several new faces added over the summer.