With the league fixtures being published last week, everyone is looking forward to the start of the new season. Pre-season is a time for optimism. Expectations are raised with everyone hopeful of improving on the previous campaign. Clubs who were in and around the play-offs will be hoping to challenge for the title, while many, boosted with new signings, will consider themselves to be genuine play-off contenders.

Due to the nature of the football, this level of optimism is often misplaced. However, I don’t see that being the case in the Premier Division this season. In my opinion, Carshalton Athletic are one of a dozen clubs who possess the genuine potential to be promoted. Unlike in recent seasons, whereby clubs such as Dover Athletic, Chelmsford City and AFC Wimbledon were promoted, I believe there is even playing field this year.

Although these clubs thoroughly deserved their promotion, their promotion was almost inevitable. All three were big clubs, with considerably bigger budgets than everyone else. That’s not the case this year. I believe many clubs will be working with similar budgets and that will create a compelling season in the Ryman Premier League.

Having made a few changes to the squad, I think we will be there or thereabouts. Likewise, I believe Tonbridge Angels, Dartford, Sutton United, Billericay Town and Wealdstone will push hard for the title this season. Of the promoted clubs, Alan Dowson has made one or two astute additions to an already strong Kingstonian while Ian Jenkins has a number of players with experience at this level. From top to bottom, this season is going to be tight and I certainly don’t expect anyone to run away with the title. On Sunday, Carshalton Athletic host the inaugural “Help the Heroes” Rivals Cup. Ian Hazel has put in a tremendous amount of work to create a four team tournament between Carshalton Athletic, Sutton United, Tooting & Mitcham and AFC Wimbledon. Players who represented these clubs in the 80’s and 90’s are getting together to support a very worthy cause, so if you would like to see the likes of Jimmy Bolton, Neil Robson, (Carshalton Athletic), Micky Stephens, Stuart Massey (Sutton) Neil Webb, Gary Whelan (Tooting) and John Scales, Robbie Earle (AFC Wimbledon) come along to Colston Avenue at 1pm this Sunday for a great day and a worthy cause.