The time is now for Spalding United as they look to gain promotion.
They came within three minutes of it last year, conceding a late equaliser in the play-off final they went on to lose to Halesowen after finishing third in the Pitching-In Northern Premier League.
Elliot Sandy is all set for his first full season in charge and he’s attracted several high-profile signings set to make their debut on Saturday as the new campaign kicks off.
They include Glen Walker, Jordan Graham and Dan Sweeney, all signed from a higher level.
“From the very top the goal is promotion,” Sandy says. “That’s for everyone.
“We’ve made some changes to the squad that went so close last season.
“When you have a really good season you do end up losing a few but we’ve made what we feel are some really good signings so I feel we’re in a good place.
“The squad is buzzing for the start and we’re going to give it a really good go.
“Since the final whistle of last season myself and James (Clifton, assistant manager) have been planning for this season on the possibility we’d get the jobs full time.
“As soon as we were offered the jobs it was a case of getting to work.
“We got our business done quite early and it’s been great working with them over pre-season.
“I’ve seen a lot of things we’ll do differently this season and we’re just in a really good place.
“It’s a shame the Grantham game was postponed on Tuesday (The Tulips were supposed to face Grantham in a repeat of last year’s County Cup final, but the Gingerbreads had to play an FA Cup replay instead) as you just want to get into that competitive football now.
“We’re now really up for Saturday.”
Spalding begin the season with games against sides new to the division.
They visit last year’s Midlands Football League champions Walsall Wood on Saturday for that club’s first game at this level.
They then host AFC Rushden and Diamonds at the Sir Halley Stewart in the first home fixture on Tuesday (7.45pm kick off).
The ‘phoenix club’ of the former Football League outfit were relegated from the Southern League Premier Division Central last season.
Sandy says both will be “tough” games against sides looking to make a mark in a new league.
After going so close to promotion last year and having made some high-profile signings over the summer, the Tulips are also going to have to get used to being a targeted side.
“I’ve had it over the years playing in successful sides who everyone wants to get the better of”, Sandy continued. “It happens to all sides who do well.
“We could see sides change how they play against us and some maybe look to rough us up a bit to see how we take it.
“But we’ve got a really good mix of players this year and some more experienced players compared to last year.
“We have to be ready for anything.”
Sandy particularly highlighted the work done by the many volunteers around the club over the summer.
There’s a buzz around Spalding that’s led to new initiatives like the newly formed Tulips Supporters’ Club.
It will officially be launched at the home game with Coventry Sphinx on August 26.
“The big thing for me about this off-season has been the volunteers and all the work that’s gone in off the pitch,” Sandy said. “A massive thank you goes from me, the management team and all the players for what they do.
“The ground is looking incredible and it’s amazing what they’ve done in such a short space of time.
“Some of them have been working 10 hours a day.
“Volunteers like that are the lifeblood of non-league clubs like ours and it’s massive for us.”
