AFC Sudbury boss Mark Morsley has said any new players he brings into the club will have to buy into his ethos, ‘in terms of style of play and total commitment’.

The King’s Marsh club begin their Bostik North season at Tilbury on Saturday, August 11.

It will be a tough early test for Morsley’s young side at the Dockers.

But the former Leiston and Needham Market manager says he can’t wait to get going.

“As a manager I am looking forward to this season possibly more than I have for many years, Morsley said.

“The process of looking at the Academy players last season, giving an unprecedented number of first-team debuts and bringing in the right sort of players to take us forward was the start of the building of AFC Sudbury going forward.

“I have looked at selective recruitment as any new players not only have to be better than what we have already, but they also have to buy into my ethos in terms of style of play and total commitment to making the club more successful.

“Jordan Blackwell has been brought back to the club after playing at Stanway Rovers last season, an experience that he will have benefitted from.

“Callum Harrision has also signed a two-year contract and the ex-Colchester Utd pro will give us great energy through midfield.”

Morsley knows the Step 4 league his club is in will be tough, with plenty of clubs strenghtening their squads.

“Yes, the league looks very strong with a number of clubs speculating financially to gain promotion which will bring additional pressures on the staff at these clubs,” Morsley said.

“We have a different plan as we are looking for steady development so that when we gain promotion we will be ready as a team and club for the next step.”

But who does he see being up there come next April?

“I will leave that for the ‘experts’,” he laughed.

“I would hope that we can be around the play offs but it is also important that we play a brand of football that bring the crowds back to King’s Marsh.

“During my previous time at the AFC we had a fantastic support which was a real 12th man and I want to get that back at the club.”