HARWICH and Parkeston boss Kieron Shelley says his side will be going “full throttle” for promotion next season.

The Thurlow Nunn League have confirmed that the top four teams in first division south will be elevated to step five level.

It looks set to create a fierce and fascinating battle with the likes of Harwich, Little Oakley, Wivenhoe Town, Halstead Town, Coggeshall United and Holland FC all presumably fancying their chances of a promotion-winning 2019/20 campaign.

Shelley is relishing the battle ahead and strongly believes he is building a squad capable of bringing premier division football back to the Royal Oak.

“We’re geared up and going for it full throttle next season,” he said.

“Everything’s looking good.

“We’ve got a very strong squad and there’s not going to be any messing about.

“We want to get out of this division and want a top-four finish. That's the ambition and we're very clear about that.

“With four definitely going up, it’s going to be very exciting.

“There are eight, nine or maybe ten teams who will fancy their chances and start the season with ambitions of promotion. We’re most definitely one of them.

“Last season was almost a bit of an anti-climax because we knew only one team was going up and it was going to take something miraculous to stop Hashtag United.

“In some ways it was a bit unfortunate that our first year back at step six level coincided with them being in our division.

“But this year it’s completely different and our league is going to be the one to watch.

“It’s fiercely competitive and that’s exactly what we want - to be in the thick of a battle.

“It’s exciting and we know that if we play well and win games, we’ll have the community and town right behind us.”

Harwich held their first pre-season training session on Wednesday night and have another double session planned for Saturday.

New signings Ross Purll, Sean Gunn, Sam Cripps, Adie Cant, Michael Murray and Kevin Coyle are joining their new team-mates with the only players from last season to have moved on being Elliot Johnson, Brad Westley, Shaun Kioussis and Jake Kioussis.

“We’ll do a couple of hours of fitness work and then do some drills with the ball after lunch, working on things like set-pieces,” added Shelley.

“It’s great getting the boys back together.

“Players are starting to confirm and I believe these are the right boys to help get us to the next level.

“I don’t care what anyone says – you need to have players with a bit of no-how and those that have been there and done it.

“Halstead ticked all the boxes for me last season and really got it right, in terms of having the right levels of experience and right blend of players.

“That’s what we’re trying to do, by signing the right kind of players who will give us that experience, almost talking and helping young players though games.

“These boys can help us get where we want to be.”