Bury St Edmunds skipper Matt Edison will welcome any pre-match nerves ahead of the Green & Ambers’ biggest-ever game tomorrow.

Promoted from London 1 North last season at a canter, Edison will lead his team into battle against Old Elthamians in National Three (London & SE).

The Bury St Edmunds-born number 8 returned to the club 18 months ago after a spell away playing in Cambridge and is excited at the chance to represent his home-town club at such a prestigious level.

There definitely will be nerves and I personally get nervous before every game,” said Edison.

“Nerves are a good thing if you can turn them into a positive and use them to your advantage and I would be disappointed if there weren’t any at the weekend.”

He added: “It’s going to be a big day for the team and for me personally as well.

“I grew up playing rugby at Bury before moving to Cambridge to play adult rugby, so it’s been nice to come back and play a part in the club’s progression to where it is today.

“The last few years the club’s facilities have become second-to-none in the county.

“With regards to the youths and the minis set-ups the club has the potential to be the best around the area notwithstanding the league we are going into.”

Bury are heading into the unknown and face a useful Old Elthamians team that finished in the top half of the division last season, following their promotion in 2012.

“The games are going to be tight and a lot of games are going to finish within seven points,” predicted Edison.

“We have the skill levels and the talent I am sure and it will be all about how we react to the first few games of the season.

“But we will go into the campaign really well prepared and we have added to the coaching staff who are covering all aspects of the club. It is a very professional set-up.”

Tomorrow’s game should have a celebratory feel to it and Edison is hoping a bumper crowd, who will be available to enjoy such attractions as a barbecue, will spur the team on to success.

“I have made sure all my friends and family are coming to the game,” said the 24-year-old.

“If we can get a huge crowd behind us it can really make a difference and push the team on.

“The club has players from every different background and as a whole, the atmosphere at the place is brilliant.

Hopefully that will encourage more and more people to come along and watch the team this season.”