Kick off can't come soon enough

With the countdown to Spartans Evo-Stik Northern Premier League opener at Marine well underway winger Dean Holmes has revealed that he can’t wait to get a competitive game under his belt for his new club, writes Mark Carruthers.

Since arriving at the Premier Division's Croft Park from the Northern League's North Shields during the summer Holmes has shown glimpses of what he can offer. Now he's hoping to make an immediate impact during the coming campaign, starting on Merseyside this coming Saturday.

Holmes said: "I can’t wait for it now, we’ve had a great training session tonight and everyone has worked really hard. I honestly think we can give it a go this season and do well.

"I’m confident in my own ability and I think I am ready for the step up to the Evo-Stik League. Just like all of the lads I’m ready to work hard even when I’m not having a great day I’ll make sure I work hard for the team and that gets you through."

As well as Holmes, a sprinkling of younger faces have been added to the Spartans squad during the summer with the likes of Rob Nolan, Nathan Buddle and Matthew Wade joining the club.

Manager Tom Wade has overseen a transformation of the squad with only eight players remaining from last season and Holmes was quick to praise the Spartans boss for helping the young players settle into life at Croft Park.

"Tom has been great and he is helping all of the young lads along really well," explained the winger. "Sometimes as a younger player you need an arm around your shoulder and Tom has been good to us all. The young lads are all raring to go and we will give it a good shot."

Many have commented that the key to a good season will be Spartans home form and how they perform in front of the Croft Park faithful. Holmes stressed that the new additions have been made only too aware how important the club is to the Green Army and was full of praise for how the supporters had been 'very understanding' with the new members of the squad.

He added: "The supporters have been brilliant and I think they are very understanding with all of the young lads at the club that at times it is going to be tough for us but hopefully they’ll see that we appreciate them and are ready to work hard for them because it’s their club."