ALAN WALTERS believes that the only way is up for Slough and has taken aim at promotion from the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier this season.

Slough finished third behind champions Swindon College Old Boys and rivals Drifters last year, but Walters is keen to push on this time around.

Their pre-season has been built around improved fitness and, with the backing of a new coaching team that includes former England international Paul Rendall, The Greenies feel now is the time to come out of the doldrums.

Slough head coach Walters told the Observer: “We had a couple of weeks off but have trained pretty much non-stop and are 13 or 14 weeks in now. We’ve looked into our fitness levels and the guys look really up for the new season.

“The new team of coaches includes Paul, Alan Weaver, Robbie Morrison and Rob Key. Robbie and Rob are both Slough boys that know our style and can help to develop it. The players have responded to the change very well.

“We’ve had two full-on pre-season games. One against Hartford who are in National League Three and we did really well.”

He continued: “We finished strong last season and feel the only way is up for us now. We want to push for promotion and have recruited well with six or seven new players all of first team calibre and from the local area.

“We’ve brought in a few younger players as well and they have shone.

“We’ve done everything we possibly can off the pitch and the emphasis is on the players now, to train hard and listen to what we’re saying.

“We’ve got a new £20,000 kit deal, new pads and new training equipment.

"This time last year we were struggling with players but now average 25-30 at every session."

Walters added: "The start to the season is so important. We lost our first three matches last season and drew the fourth before we won a game because of player availability, but we're pushing for promotion this year so the start is so important.

"We've set our own goals and agendas. The club has been in the doldrums but our aim is to win the league and that's the natural progression from last year."

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