The curtain goes up on the 2023/24 Southern League season for St Ives Town on Saturday when they host Mickleover at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road.

The Ives flirted with relegation in the final weeks of last season but finished in 16th position, 11 points clear of the drop zone.

Ives manager Ricky Marheineke has kept the nucleus of his side with key defender and supporter's player of the year Jordan Williams signing again for another season.

He is joined by other key players such as Jonny Herd, Michael Richens and leading goalscorer from last season, Jonny Edwards.

Much will depend on the prolific striker as the Ives will look to him to repeat his scoring exploits from last season.

Marheineke has made some new signings, with striker Brandon Njuko and midfielder Dan Barton joining on loan from Cambridge United.

At the weekend, goalkeeper Eddie Brearey also joined on loan from Oxford United, and the defensive options have been bolstered with Aaron Smith arriving from St Neots.

Joining Smith on permanent deals are winger Tiago Nassunculo who joins from Barwell, and Fernando Bell-Toxtle arrives from Royston to strengthen the midfield options.

Last season the Ives got off to a great start and will once again be looking to get points on the board in their early fixtures.

But that task will not be easy as they face Leamington, Kettering Town and AFC Telford United in the season's first month. All three clubs are fancied to go well after being relegated into the division from the National League North.

The previous campaign saw the Ives go on a record-breaking FA Cup run which finished at the fourth qualifying round stage with a defeat to FC Halifax Town.

The club's supporters will be looking for something similar this season, coupled with a decent league campaign.

St Ives Town has also renewed their partnership deal with Cambridge Sensotec Ltd and their Dynascan division as the first team home kit sponsor for the new 2023/24 season.

Both companies will also become sponsors for all first-team players on a block basis.

Interest in the club is certainly on the up, with attendance increasing during the second half of the last campaign, and the club has also sold a record number of season tickets ahead of the big kick-off.

All those fans will be hoping for an exciting campaign ahead, and they will get their first look at how their team is likely to shape up on Saturday.

Kick-off for the Mickleover game is at 3pm.