Chelmsford City captain Mark Hughes insists the team will do better next season – but is refusing to get carried away.
The Clarets finished 17th in Conference South this season after spending most of the campaign far too close to the relegation places.
But there is a sense of optimism around Melbourne Park under Mark Hawkes, who guided the club to safety after their disastrous start.
And Hughes – who was named as the club's player of the year at the weekend – is hoping for better fortunes.
"We won't get too far ahead of ourselves," he said. "We'll set small targets but the ultimate aim is to be at the right end of the table.
"As far as we go, we don't know but we want to continue our good home form, the gaffer said from day one he doesn't like getting beaten at home and that will be massive for us."
The 30-year-old made 38 appearances for the Clarets this season, and is now looking forward to a short break before going again.
"I've got a couple of weeks off in May," he said. "And then I'll tick over a bit in June and hopefully lead by example when pre-season training starts.
"My legs are getting a bit older now though, no-one likes pre-season but it has to be done, and it'll hopefully get us where we want to be and get a good season."
