Braintree Town’s new manager Brad Quinton aims to first stabilise the club after its relegation from the Vanarama National League and ensure his completely new look first-team squad can establish themselves at that level as part of his longer term strategy.

“We are first laying the foundations and making sure the 18/19 man first team squad are ‘all singing off the same hymn sheet’ from the outset and know what are aim is which is to progress this club forward again,” he explained to more than 150 fans attending a club open day on Sunday.

“Like at my first club in management at Enfield we have a great deal of work to do to start with and to get the right mix of the side and have everyone involved behind us,” he continued.

“That takes time but we will be working hard to get things right from the start and in readiness for the first league game.

“Obviously our aim is to be in that top half of the table and at Christmas if were are in such a strong position then it would be fantastic to make the play-offs but there’s a long, long way to go and a great deal of hard work before then,” he added.

“Initially it’s all about consolidation.”

Quinton, who has brought his backroom team from Enfield, confirmed he had already agreed terms in principle with 15/16 players to sign but would only reveal their identity once signatures had been completed in the coming days.

With all of last season’s relegation squad allowed to depart, except young hone grown winger Joe Maybanks and reserve goalkeeper Ben McNamara, Quinton is in the process of completely rebuilding a first-team squad.

“We will also involve both reserve and academy players along the way and they will mix as and when with the seniors so we can what potential there is with the younger players,” he continued.

“One thing is for certain though is that all our players will be fit and the team well organised from the start of the season.”

He went on: “All the players will be constantly monitored in terms of individual fitness levels by my team using the modern techniques that are now part of the game at higher levels so there will be no excuses from them in terms of recovery time from any injuries.

“We will be looking to constantly improve their performances and we will signing players who also able to play in different positions too,” he explained.

“We will also have our staff out scouting for players, looking at future opponents and doing a great deal of background work which is essential at our level of the game.

“I am hoping the fans will get behind us and we in turn intend to play an attractive brand off football to both entertain and win which has always been the ethos at the club,” he added.

The club will be holding a trialists’ day on June 22 to have a look at potential players and first team training starts on June 24 with the first pre-season home friendly against Southend United on July 15.”