BURNHAM RAMBLERS manager Keith Wilson admits everyone associated with the club cannot wait for the new season to begin.
After almost 30 years in the Essex Senior League, the Ramblers will be lining up in the Ryman League Division One North next term following their promotion last season.
And Wilson is looking forward to seeing his young side make the step up.
"Everyone's excited," he said. "The players keep texting and Tweeting saying they're looking forward to pre-season, which isn't normally the case.
"It's going to be a test for us, but hopefully something we'll be prepared for and we're heading the right direction finally after many years in the senior league.
"It's a real boost. Everyone at the club is thrilled.
"It's something that they've dreamt of for a long time. We've been close on several occasions and not quite got over the line, so to do it last season with some big clubs in the Senior League with a lot more resources than we had was a great achievement.
"We want to get started now, we like the break but we want to get going to keep the buzz and the enthusiasm and positivity at the club going, so the sooner we start the better."
Wilson, 35, is about to start his fourth season at the helm at Leslie Field, and the former East Thurrock left-back believes the fixture schedule could help his side out in the new campaign.
"If early on we get sides who will be in and around us and we can pick up a few results in the first half a dozen games then you never know," he added.
"I've got to be realistic.
"I'm not going to say we're going to get in the play-offs or anything, but if we start well, you never know in football.
"Winning football games is a good habit to get into and if we can win a few early on then the confidence is high and that's what we had last year."