PHIL Power believes FC United will have to fight for the right to play football.

The breakaway club romped to promotion in their inaugural season last year - winning the North West Counties Division Two by eight points.

But the Gigg Lane outfit's success will ensure they will be marked men this term, according to the Reds' player-assistant manager.

"It's going to a be a lot tougher," admitted Power. "Teams are going to be a lot stronger and a lot more uncompromising.

"I've no concerns about our football ability, but we'll have to be stronger physically and need to earn the right to play.

"After winning the league in our first season there will be a lot of teams who will not want to let that happened again.

"Most teams know if they let us play football then we will give them a good game, so they will probably look to upset us in other ways.

"But we're not under any illusions that it will be a stroll in the park - we're prepared for a tough battle."

United, who produced a superb display to defeat Conference side Halifax Town 4-2 on Tuesday night with goals from Rob Nugent, Steve Torpey, William Ahern and Rory Patterson, travel to Abbey Hey in their final warm-up game on Saturday before the new season gets underway a week later.

The Reds have enjoyed an indifferent pre-season campaign against teams from further up the non-league pyramid in terms of results, but Power, who turned 40 last week, believes it has been invaluable.

The former Macclesfield Town striker added: "We've got a massive squad this year - a lot of players came down for pre-season training and various players were recommended to us -so it's been a good chance to have a look at the them in a game situation.

"But we will be taking our last friendly a lot more seriously and putting our strongest team out."

Prolific hitman Stuart Rudd, who struck 40 goals for division one rivals Skelmersdale United last term, Mossley right-back Matty Taylor and Rhodri Giggs, younger brother of Manchester United star Ryan, are the most exciting of the summer arrivals.

FC kick-off the new season at St Helens Town on Saturday, August 12, followed by the visits of Nelson four days later and FA Vase holders Nantwich on Saturday, August 19.

Power said: "It will be a tough start to the new season but we're looking forward to it. We want to keep on a roll and keep going after last season's success."