Steve McKimm says people need to be realistic about Tonbridge’s Ryman League, Premier Division chances next season.

Tonbridge start with a trip to Enfield on Saturday, August 8, followed by home games against Grays (August 11) and promoted side Needham Market (August 15).

The Angels boss expects to improve on 20th place but isn’t setting the bar too high.

He said: “It’s a good start in terms of competitiveness but a tough start because we’ll need to be on it in every game.

“It’s a more equal league in terms of finances. You could draw from six, seven, eight clubs for the title – there’s no stand-out team you think are going to walk away with it.

“We’ve made good acquisitions over the summer but what do people expect from a side who were 20th last year? Are we expected to win the league or finish in the top four?

“It’s a big ask to go from 20th to title contenders. We’ll be competitive in every game but we’ve got to be realistic.

“The good thing is I’m not starting from scratch this year. I’ve got nine of last season’s players and have brought six or seven in who’ve got to blend in and hopefully quickly.”

Royce Greenidge will miss the start of the season after suffering a setback in his recovery from a broken foot.g an operation, so he could be out for another two or three months.