Gary Harvey has warned his Halstead Town team-mates that they have a tough season ahead of them.

Halstead kick-off their Ridgeons League premier division campaign at home to Dereham, but the veteran defender believes they must work hard to match the seventh-placed finish they achieved last year.

Boss Andy Clark has strengthened his hand during the summer, but Harvey, who has been appointed assistant manager, said: "We've got a good squad of talented and committed players, but I feel this season will be more difficult than last.

"There was a bit of a surprise element about us last year because we had just been promoted from division one.

"But teams will know more about us and make it harder for us.

"AFC Sudbury, Wroxham and Diss with be up there, as I'm sure will Lowestoft, Soham and Clacton.

"On the plus side, we've made some good signings and have done a lot of work on our pitch, which will help with our style of football.

"But it would be foolhardy to make predictions and say we're going to finish higher than last year.

"We'll just aim to do the best we possibly can."

Published Friday August 20, 2004

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