FC Halifax Town chairman David Bosomworth has urged the club's fans to match the board's ambitions as they embark on life in the Unibond League Division One North.
Town kick off their campaign at home to Bamber Bridge on Saturday little more than a month after appointing Jim Vince as manager.
They have been installed as favourites to win the title and Bosomworth has targeted promotion at the first attempt.
But he knows that the speed at which things have moved off the pitch may well mean having to have patience with the players on it as they get to know each other.
"We want the fans to be as ambitious as us," said Bosomworth. "Of course we want promotion - and we want it at the first go.
"But we have to be extremely realistic.
"The team has only been together for four weeks and probably five or six of them have only been here a week or so.
"The team is not necessarily going to gel from game one - it might take 10 or 15 games.
"We want the fans to stick with the players and encourage them, assured by the fact that they will be giving 100 per cent.
"The supporters want to see players giving their all for the club and that's what we want to see.
"The fans have a massive role to play with their support."
An indication of the board's ambition was the appointment of Peter Stajic as the full time commercial manager.
And while the playing staff may be part-time, there is no doubt that Bosomworth is keen to get the club back into the full-time ranks.
"You have to say that a full team has gone and a new team - a part time one - has taken its place," said Bosomworth. "That is the reality of it.
"But in all other respects what we are trying to do is run FC Halifax Town as a professional club."
That is a sentiment that will undoubtedly be echoed by all of the town's football supporters who appear to be rallying round the new team.
And while the old club's 87-year history should never be forgotten, Bosomworth is keen for everyone to look forward to a bright future rather than back at the old failings.
"All we desperately want is for the fans to unite behind the club," he said. "We don't want to be involved with any of the previous politics."
The full article contains 434 words and appears in Evening Courier newspaper.
