Tangerines boss Mark Butler was in ebullient mood on Thursday evening after his squad completed their final session ahead of the opening League game at Hastings United on Saturday.  While ready for a tough game on the Sussex coast, he is also positive, but realistic about the team's prospects for the season ahead.

We started our chat by talking about the rather downbeat tone of the story in this week's Staines & Ashford News.  The "don't expect promotion"  introduction to the article has divided the club's support, with some fans disappointed that the club has not declared itself to be expecting to challenge at the top of the table, but Mark has reminded them, with that a number of well-supported clubs having come into the division, it might be better to play down expectations at this stage.  

"The paper were trying to keep it "real" and I think people need to read what was actually said.  We have a great relationship with the local paper, but they have to sell copies.  That's why there was a story the other week about us not wanting Rio Ferdinand.  I can assure you that if Rio Ferdidand walked into the club, we would sign him!  But we have to look at where we are.  I'm not being negative, but we're a fledgling club at this level.  We are growing and progressively going forward. 

"We had an excellent finish to last season, but we did and do have a couple of little issues.  I'm really happy with this squad and I'm extremely confident going into the new season.  But, the budgets that other sides have are considerable compared to ours.  I don't fear them, but they have resources and I think we need to keep our feet on the ground.

Mark's message to the supporters is a positive one:  "I can only play football one way and that's trying to win.  The plan is that we're in the top half of the league, because then we'll never be more than six or seven points off the play-offs.  If we're still in that arena towards the end of the season, that's when we'll make the push."

"We will be going for it.  We will be trying to win every game.  We are a positive football team - we score goals at this club.  We let too many in, but it's an exciting kind of football we play here.  We will be trying to win the league, I can't enter competitions to be an also-ran.  But I don't see the point of putting pressure on ourselves.  We're Ashford Town.  We take what we get, we don't give anything away.  To use the Webmaster's term, we're 'small but mighty' and that says it all.  We will make our opponents earn everything they get from us, but we need to acknowledge that there are other clubs with more resources or backing than we have and it's my challenge to respond to that and push us on."

In terms of Saturday's trip to the Pilot Field, Mark is anxious not to go through a repeat of last season's trip:  "It was a bad day for us.  Although it was a nice place, we got there late, it was baking hot and we didn't turn up.  We played quite badly and lost 2-0, which was a wake-up call.  So we're looking to put that right.

"It's the opening game of the season and the lads are desperate to play.  We've all been getting tetchy because we can't wait. We had a little chat at the end and there's a great feeling around the place at the moment."

Mark revealed that, by the time you read this, he will have named his squad for the game:  "We've had the final conference tonight about a few places, but I know my team.  I probably knew it ten days ago apart from one or two question marks.  I'll sleep on it, then on Friday I'll involve the lads that are going to travel.  We're going to leave a couple behind to play for the Reserves because they're playing catch-up.  Those players are not out of my plans, we'll need everybody.  It's been positive tonight and the lads have gone off for a team-bonding session.  I've decided not to go to give them a little bit of space to be themselves although Rory's popped along.  It's the new season and I'm really excited."

A coach is running to Hastings tomorrow, leaving Short Lane at 11.00am SHARP.  Coach travel is priced at £10 Adults, £5 Committee Members and OAPs.  Children travel free.  For admission prices and other information about Hastings United, click here.

Meanwhile, Glynn Stephens' Reserve side will be at Short Lane to take on Burgess Hill Town.  The squad will be bolstered by those players not travelling to Hastings, as well as a number of the Youth Team squad, who have impressed during pre-season.

Entry for non-season ticket holders is £5 Adults, £3 Concessions.