Boston United have a 'stronger' squad than last season - Craig Elliott

Craig Elliott believes Boston United will kick off the new campaign with a stronger squad than the side which reached last season’s National League North play-offs.

A busy summer has seen the Pilgrims make 10 new signings, a mixture of proven winners and youngsters full of potential.

Now Elliott wants to go one better than last season’s play-off final defeat to Altrincham.

“For me it’s always about building on what we did last year and getting better,” he told The Standard.

“No disrespect to what we had last year, but I feel the squad is stronger on paper, and we now have to make that a reality by getting on the training ground and getting through the friendlies.”

The Boston boss believes it is important to create a team that can consistently challenge at the top end of the table, using every bit of experienced gained to make them stronger promotion contenders.

“I said after the play-offs, the secret for Boston is now to be recognised as a strong top-five team consistently and to keep fighting for those positions,” he added.

“We don’t want to yo-yo and be one year up, one year mid-table.

“It’s important people recognise us as a force, that’s what successful teams have done, and when the time’s right to get promoted it’ll happen.”

Elliott also believes that last season’s top-three finish has made this year’s recruitment that bit easier.

He continued: “Definitely, without a doubt. Once you are a consistent top-five team then players want to join you and be part of trying to win promotion.

“A big part of getting experienced players, they’ve come to be part of the new stadium and to be part of a new success.

“That’s what they want towards the end of their careers, I suppose. It’s an exciting period for us and it’s all about trying to deliver success, always has been.”

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