Following our team's recent return to training, our captain Michael Johnston looks forward to the new season.

What was your reaction to the recent confirmation of our promotion to Tier 4?
To be honest, I do think that it is only right that we were placed in Tier 4. We don’t want people thinking that we aren’t at a level on merit. When I heard the news, I wasn’t surprised.

It was great to see all the hard work rewarded with promotion and it shows how far the club has come since that 12-1 defeat in our first game away to FC United . This is the first time in my career that I have been in a team that has been promoted. I was very close on two occasions with Brickfield Rangers but never quite got over the line. It was excellent to experience promotion, although the way it happened, unfortunately, made it seem like a bit of an anti climax. However, promotion was our goal and we achieved it.

What are you most looking forward to about being in Tier 4 next season?
Putting our squad to the test of a higher level. We may have beaten a couple of Tier 4 teams last season but that counts for nothing now. We need to pick up where we left off as everyone will be out to prove a point against us.

Also, there are teams that I have not visited before so it will be great to see how the different clubs are run as it has been so nice to go to places and see how the communities all chip in to help their local clubs. It shows the love that people have for their club and grassroots around the area, which is a credit to all.

We have seen how teams are strengthening for the upcoming season so it will definitely be very competitive. We will go into every game with confidence but we have to earn the right to win. I’m sure, we will have our backs against the wall at times but what's important is how we deal with that.

As lockdown restrictions are gradually being loosened and the return to training appears to be getting closer, what are you most looking forward to about getting back to football?
Well, we stared back last Monday and it was great to see everyone plus a couple of new faces. I have really missed being around the group so that is definitely the biggest thing. The last time I actually kicked a ball prior to last week was Saturday 8th February against Ogwen Tigers, so it was nice to get back to it. That said, we didn’t do much of that in the first session. One negative about being back, however, has to be Mel’s famous hill runs at Treborth, although they will only benefit us and prepare us for the challenges to come.

Let’s hope we can get everyone back down to Treborth soon and we can pick up where we left off.