HORNDEAN chairman David Sagar says he is optimistic ahead of the start of the new football season.

The Deans are scheduled to begin their Sydenhams Wessex League Premier Division campaign with a home match against Christchurch this Saturday.

Horndean have earned some eye-catching results in pre-season, beating Bognor Regis Town 3-0 and Wick 9-0, and Sagar is looking forward to the season.

He said: “We’ve got to hit the ground running and we’ve got to do well this season. We’ve made two or three signings that we believe will help the squad but we’ve also lost one as well, so it’s important we keep this young team together.

“Over the last few years, we’ve had fourth, sixth and fifth place finishes respectively and we are looking to better it this season with the players and management team we have at the club.”

The Deans also have an important game in the Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup on August 11, when they will entertain Godalming Town, and Sagar is hopeful the club can go on a good FA Cup run this season.

He said: “We’ll need to be at our best to pick up a result against Godalming but I believe we have the players and the staff to do that.”

Sagar also paid tribute to all the volunteers and staff members who help around Five Heads Park regularly.

He added: “We’ve been fortunate to have a lot of willing volunteers who come and help us put a lot of work into the ground, so we’re really grateful.”