A new era is about to begin for Huntingdon Town - as the club goes into battle in a new division with new bosses at the helm.

Jimmy Brattan and Ryan Hunnings are the men attempting to bring good times back to Jubilee Park in Division One of the United Counties League.

The former Langtoft United duo have overseen a major rebuild of the squad relegated after a couple of difficult campaigns at Premier Division level.

And they’re hoping to deliver success, starting with a positive result in the club’s season-opener against newly-promoted Pinchbeck United at Jubilee Park on Friday night (7.45pm).

The curtain-raiser is expected to attract an attendance of around 300 fans from across the country as it forms the first part of a three-day tour for ground-hoppers in this area.

“Our aim is to win the league – it’s as simple as that,” said Brattan. “We know this season is all about rebuilding, but we hope to be successful while doing that.

“We’re under no pressure whatsoever from the hierarchy at the club. The only targets are those myself and Ryan have set - and we’re ambitious people who came to Huntingdon to test ourselves.

“It’s very important to get off to a good start to give a bit of hope and joy to those associated with the club.

“We have belief in ourselves and the players we have brought in, and hopefully the people of Huntingdon will get behind us. I’m confident we can entertain them.”

The new bosses have retained several members of the Town squad from last season while adding a host of new faces.

Chris Jones, Christian Le and Ben Keating have all arrived from Godmanchester Rovers, while young St Ives Town goalkeeper Tom Smith will be on a dual-registration deal.

Steven Slack, Ruben Rey, Jason Cook, Odie Wason and Ashley Firth have all followed Brattan and Hunnings from Langtoft, while Liam Rodden, Richard Baines, Connor Clarke, Antonio Dello Russo and Chris Down are other new additions.

Brattan added: “We’ve got the steady squad in place that we need and we’re confident every player brings something to the table.

“It’s clearly going to be a tough start against a Pinchbeck side who have a bit of financial clout to get the players they need to be successful for this level.

“We’re one of the few clubs in the UCL without a playing budget, but that’s not an issue to myself and Ryan.

“If a player really wants to play for us and the club, we’re confident they will do that.”

Town completed their pre-season schedule with a 3-2 victory against Ramsey Town on Monday night to lift the Mayor’s Cup. They went down 2-1 to another Peterborough & District League Division One outfit, Whittlesey Athletic, last Saturday.