IMMEDIATE promotion has been demanded by Kendal Town chairman David Willan.

"The team are prepared as well as they will ever be and the main objective this year is to be promoted to the UniBond League Premier Division," he said.

"That is not putting pressure on the team, they accept that is their minimum objective.

"With the new signings, all top quality players, it would also be nice to see far more supporters turn out to back them.

"It does make a difference, not only for the revenue it raises but also to players' performances."

Three main signings, brought in to create a strong attacking midfield, will bear the brunt of fulfilling Wilklan's dream The midfield general is manager Tony Hesketh's key signing Lee Ashcroft, a man with Football League experience with Preston North End and West Bromich Albion.

"I met Tony Hesketh while at Southport and I was really impressed," said Ashcroft, "He's the reason I've come to Kendal. I haven't come not to win the League - I want to win everything I can."

Kenny Mayers, an attacking centre back who comes with a wealth of UniBond and Conference League experience is the second major signing. "Its a pretty new squad but once we've got gelled and get into it I think we'll do alright," he said.

"Its going to be hard, but I think we're capable of being up there or thereabouts."

Third of the trio is Ricky Mercer who signed for Blackburn Rovers when he was 13 then moved to Preston a year later. Recently he has been with UniBond Premier League side Lancaster City.

"We've got a decent squad with a few good players," he said. "If we can all stay fit I'm sure we can do well. A good season for me is promotion."

Although the UniBond First Division is peppered with new teams there is an old familiar start for Town tomorrow.

For the third year in succession Stocksbridge Park Steels provide the opposition and Town will be hoping to repeat last year's result when they opened their UniBond League First Division campaign with a win over the Sheffield-based side.

Town are without several summer signings.

Ashcroft and Mercer both carry over suspensions from last season while Lee Clitheroe got a bad knock during the final pre-season game at Bamber Bridge, a 0-0 draw which was noteable as a major improvement in Town's defensive play.

In addition, midfielder Stuart Cliff is out awaiting an operation for a long-term injury.

Regular keeper Lee Ward is on holiday for three weeks, but that should give an opportunity for new signing Mark Thornley to show his worth.

Nevertheless manager Tony Hesketh, well on the mend after the inner-ear infection problem which caused him to collapse and spend four days in hospital, believes the team will do well.

"Around 18 players have done all the pre-season work and, although four are out, the others 14 will form the basis of the squad, although I am always on the lookout to add players," he said.

"Although illness kept me from the last two pre-season games I am told we played well, particularly against Morecambe and I feel that the players are beginning to get a better understanding of their roles.

"Fitness has improved and we are now finishing games strongly," said Hesketh.

He is, however, under no illusion that Steels will be an easy touch for, like Kendal, they are determined to put last season's poor performances behind them and have strengthened their squad during the summer.

"They have bought Stevie Hawes, a good midfielder who was at Altrincham and later at Worksop and striker Duncan Bray from Sheffield FC, plus a few other new faces," he said.

Tomorrow Town will turn out in new-look kit carrying the logo of shirt-sponsor Stainton's Coaches.

The Kendal Town Supporter Club-sponsored match kicks off at 3pm and, like all home matches this season, the club is offering "admission for a quid" for all under-16s to encourage supports from youngsters.