ATHERTON Collieries are now able to map out their second season in Evo-Stik First Division, and a route chairman Paul Gregory hopes could end up in the play-offs.

Fixtures for the new campaign were released on Thursday, with Colls kicking off against Glossop North End on Saturday, August 18, followed by a first home game at the Kensite Stadium on Monday, August 20, against Colwyn Bay.

A year older and wiser at this level, Michael Clegg’s side have high hopes on building on a 10th-placed finish last term – but Gregory says any targets are coming straight from his ambitious manager and not from the club’s committee.

“He wants the team to progress,” he told The Bolton News.

“Around Christmas time last season he was a bit panicky because we were down the bottom but I pulled him to one side and said there was no problem at all.

“Even if we had been relegated there was no question about his position.

“After Christmas he got rid of some dead wood, brought some lads back in, and we went from strength to strength.

“We finished 10th in the end, which was some effort considering, and there’s no reason why we can’t push for a play-off place this season.

“That’s pressure Michael puts on himself. It doesn’t come from me or the committee.

“If we consolidate in this division I wouldn’t have any issue at all.”

Another bonus for Colls was lifting the Integro Sport Northern Premier League Challenge Cup in May and joining an elite group of clubs to have had their name engraved on the trophy.

“We didn’t realise quite how big the competition was until we saw the likes of Wigan Athletic, Fleetwood, Macclesfield and Burton Albion had won it in the past,” Gregory admitted.

One of the big hopes for this season is big striker Tom Bentham, who returns to English football after a spell in Australia.

The former Hyde United front man will link up with best mate Luke Giverin in an effort to rediscover the scoring form which once made him a target for Football League clubs.

“He is a big, strong lad, has an eye for goal and makes the forward line really impressive,” Clegg added of his new arrival.

Colls’ preparations were to continue last night with a home friendly against Chipstead from the Bostik League.

Down the road at Atherton LR, a new-look squad prepares to face Leigh Athletic at Crilly Park today, 3pm kick off.

Warren Jones has already added a plethora of new faces at Rovers this summer including Jack Tierney, Anthony Hoodless, Nathan Hatton, Brian Millington, Rob Beaumont, Mike Dawson, Kevin Massa and ex-Liverpool academy man Brad Tyldesley.

Brian Hart has returned to Daisy Hill with a revamped coaching staff and big plans to boost the fortunes of his local club in the new-look North West Counties system.

They had been due to kick off their pre-season at home to Charnock Richard today but were advised by the match official to call off the game due to the recent hot weather making the pitch at New Sirs dangerous for the players.

They will hope to see action on Tuesday when they are set to host Marine. Kick off is 7.45pm.