NOT many teams would start a new season with at least 15 straight away matches, but Darren Perrin insist Melksham Town will not be using that as any excuse as they embark on a momentous 2016-17 campaign.

The club's delayed move to their new purpose-built Woolmore Farm site on the edge of town means the 2014-15 Toolstation League Premier Division champions must go on their travels for nearly two and a half months before finally settling in to their new home in mid-October.

The long road trip starts with an FA Cup tie at United Services Portsmouth on Saturday and the fixture computer has hardly been kind to Town either, a visit to reigning Premier Division champions Odd Down on Tuesday with another tough assignment at Bristol Manor Farm looming before the end of the month.

While joking that his club should perhaps now be sponsored by Easyjet given their travelling schedule, Perrin is deadly serious when he says his players won't be using the situation as any sort of 'get out' when it comes to getting results.

"It's difficult for us but I am sure that with the players we have got, we have got the ability to handle it,'' he said.

"We understand the situation and we've just got to take it on the chin.

"The flip side of it is that from about November through to February, we have home games all the way.

"If we can get off to a good decent start and be there, it can give us a big boost.''

Regardless of what happens on the pitch, the campaign will be a huge step forward for Melksham as they move into their new home.

"It's going to be huge,'' said the manager of the stadium. "We just want to get in there and get on with it now. The talking has got to stop.

"The facility is unbelievable - it really is that good. I've been at Southern League clubs and it's something that is at least equivalent to what I've seen there.

"The ambition is for the club to keep progressing. We've have 450 youth players, four teams on Saturday, teams on Sunday and disability and ladies teams so we just need to keep building on that.

Despite losing Ricky Hulbert to Larkhall over the summer, Melksham have strengthened with the arrival not only of Kieran Baggs as Perrin's assistant, but Steve Hulbert from Frome Town, Jake Hiscocks from Trowbridge Town, Lee Davidson, from Shepton Mallet, Dan King and Ross Lye.

Perrin added: "The team spirit has been first class and I'm very happy with how pre-season has gone. It's strange to start the season with the FA Cup but our record in it is diabolical so hopefully we can progress.''