FROME Town will be looking to consolidate on last season’s eighth-placed finish as they kick-off their Evo-Stik Southern League Premier Division campaign this weekend.

Manager Josh Jeffries was able to steer his side to within six points of the play-offs last term, much to the surprise of many in and around the league.

“You have to look at the bigger picture. we are competing against some big clubs with some big budgets,” said Jeffries.

“They have big squads and that is where we fell short and ultimately, that is where we will probably fall short again.

“It’s difficult to compete with those sort of things.

“Traditionally, Frome have been fighting against relegation so anything that emulates last year I’ll be pleased with.”

Following the success from the group last year, Jefferies has only tweaked the group ahead of Saturday’s curtain-raiser with Basingstoke Town.

A trio of new additions, Chas Hemmings, Joe Raynes and Ben Withey have all pitched up at the club, much to the delight of the Frome boss, who is happy with the squad he has been able to assemble.

“We have made a few signings and lost a few the other way, which is just natural in football,” he added.

“I’m pleased with the squad but it is a small squad and we will be tested again this weekend.

“As a whole we have kept the majority because I was pleased with how it went last year.

“We built that squad over time so I didn’t want to make wholesale changes.”

With his side making the trip on Saturday, the Frome boss concedes he can’t wait to get started.

“Pre-season is out of the way and the real stuff starts on Saturday,” added the manager.

“I’m not a massive lover of pre-season so I’m looking forward to the weekend because the real stuff starts there.

“I’m hopeful for a win but it will be against a difficult side who will play football, so we will have to see.”