Garry Kimble insists his Witham Town team are not heading completely into unknown territory as they restart life in the Ryman League Division One North.

Having run away with the Essex Senior League title last season, Witham have won promotion to Ryman League Division One North and start their new challenge with a home game against Thamesmead Town.

They quickly follow that with a long trip to Norfolk to face Eastern Counties League champions Wroxham on Tuesday and manager Kimble knows they are just the tip of the iceberg of challenges they will come up against this year.

However, he feels his team are well-equipped to deal with what is about to be thrown at them and says they head into the season in a confident mood.

Kimble said: “There are a lot of people at Witham who know the Ryman League and how it works.

“The club has been at this level before, I’ve been involved in it, my coach Brad (King) has managed in it and plenty of the players have played in it or at higher levels.

“So I’d like to think we have enough about us and it won’t be a completely unknown step.

“There will be some of the younger players who won’t have played at that level, but the nucleus of the squad has experience and they can help guide the others through.

“I certainly don’t have any worries.

“I’m looking for a top half finish and that will allow us to push on the next year.

“Everyone is pulling in the right direction at Witham Town and I still think we are a sleeping giant.

“We have taken the step into division one north and I think we can step up further into the premier division.”

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