Brantham Athletic boss, Michael Brothers, is targeting another top-five finish in the Thurlow Nunn Eastern Counties Premier Division, ahead of the new season opener at Kirkley & Pakefield this afternoon.

East Anglian Daily Times: Danny Bloomfield, in action for one of his former clubs Felixstowe & Walton three years ago, will add experience to Brantham Athletic's squad this season. Picture: STAN BASTONDanny Bloomfield, in action for one of his former clubs Felixstowe & Walton three years ago, will add experience to Brantham Athletic's squad this season. Picture: STAN BASTON (Image: Archant)

The experienced Brothers, who is joint manager with Matt Carmichael, recognises that he has a younger squad at his disposal for 2018-19, following a number of high-profile player departures this summer.

But Brothers sees no reason why The Blue Imps can’t at least emulate their fifth-place finish of last term – they ended up finishing 28 points behind champions Coggeshall Town.

“For different reasons, I think it will be just as competitive this season, and you certainly have to expect the unexpected in this division,” explained Brothers.

“Firstly, I can’t believe that the season has come around quite so quickly this season. It’s crazy!

“But I hope this coming season is not too different to last year. We want to set our stall out to be near the top.

“That’s our aim, to finish as high as we can. I know that people around the club want to see us get promoted, but we have to be realistic as well. We have to do it the right way.

“There have been a few changes at the club. We have lost two or three players from last season, including Ben Newson and Jack Smith.

“Ben got us 20 goals last season, but he has decided to retire from playing because he has a young family.

“Jack netted 17 goals for us last year, but he is going off travelling in October, so straight away that is 37 goals we will be missing this season.

“Going forward, we have a younger set-up, with some experience around it. The average age will be about 24 this year, which is a positive for us.

“We have also signed Danny Bloomfield. He was working with AFC Sudbury Reserves last season, but mainly in a coaching role.

“Danny didn’t play much, but he wants to play one more season and give it a go. He will also help with the younger players.

“Overall, we will be looking for another top-five finish. That would be a good achievement for a young squad,” added Brothers.

Today’s hosts Kirkley & Pakefield finished 10th last term.