Jay Rowland spoke to the Sandbach United manager ahead of their final pre-season friendly, and here's what he had to say.

JR: You had a good start to last season but things like COVID meant it couldn't be finished, are you hoping that you can push for promotion again this season?

AH: Yeah definitely, I think last year we were in 3rd position before all that kicked in. We were looking really strong so hopefully we can do the same. Hopefully we'll be in the top 5 or somewhere like that, but there's some strong teams in the division this year. Quite a few teams have got a lot more money now as well, with some teams contracting people too which is a bit of a surprise. We have kept the majority of the boys together and brought some new additions in so hopefully we'll be up there towards the end and give it a big push and try to get over the line!

JR: As you said, the squad has some old and new faces in, are you happy with the new signings for the club?

AH: Yeah definitely. We've been looking at a left back for some time and Kallam [Boyle] came on from Nantwich, he had a couple trial games and we managed to get him over the line. He will be a great signing for us this season. Unfortunately he's had a few injuries in the last 12-18 months so needs to be out there playing football and will make a great addition to the squad. For the games he's played so far, he's acted as if he's been in the dressing room for years so he's a real good fit and will be a very good player for us.

JR: Some players have left us over the summer, one being fan favourite Kieran Knapper, do you think he will be a big miss, or do you think we've made up for it with some of our signings?

AH: You can't replace Knapper! He's class and was class from the moment we went and found him playing on a Tuesday night against Newcastle. He's a great player, great lad in the changing room, I didn't want to lose him, but he wants to step up to a higher level and I wish him all the best. Vauxhall have a great team, a great setup, they've been in our league for the last couple of years and had been pushing for that promotion and deserved to go up. They'll look after him and he knows there's always a place at Sandbach for him, but we just want him to do well and hopefully go up even higher, and we can only hope that happens!

JR: So looking ahead to the team we play at the weekend, Brocton, they've laterally moved into our league from the Midlands League, do you think they'll be a tough test considering we haven't faced them before?

AH: We went and watched them a few weeks ago and it was a good scouting mission. It's a lovely setup down there, great facility. We did see some of their players, but it was pre-season so I'm sure the squad on Saturday will be totally different. They might take a while to find their feet as it is a difficult league we're in, every game in this league can surprise you. Bottom can beat top easily and that's how it is, so we'll wait and see.

JR: The club have just got that new sponsorship deal with Planet Environmental, combined with new signings and a good pre-season, mood is high around the club. Do you think that'll translate onto the pitch?

AH: Yeah definitely. Wayne [Burton, Planet Environmental Owner] has been with us from Day 1 and has always looked after us and helped us. For him to come in and sponsor everything from kids' teams to girls' teams is absolutely fantastic. He's a great guy, a great sponsor and it brings all the teams together and I think that's great.

JR: Ok and lastly if you were to give the fans a position in the league you expect to finish, what would that be?

AH: It's a difficult one. Like I said earlier, you see some of the people that have signed for other clubs, like Stockport and what they've been doing, and Abbey Hey, and they're all good teams that have strengthened. I want to be in the Top 5 and the squad know that I want to give it a big push for promotion, and I think we are in touching distance of that. It all depends how we click. There are still a couple players I'm talking to and hoping to get over the line, but it won't be before the start of the season. The other leagues like the Evo-Stik and the Northern Premier don't start their season until after us, so I won't know on those potential signings until after those leagues start. I am happy with the squad that we've got though, we've brought in some top players like Amir [Hajri] who's got a great goalscoring record. We've kept 95% of the squad that I personally wanted to keep, and I really do think we'll have a really good go at it this season.