LEDBURY FC boss Ian Merrick says his "burning desire" has always been to return step six football to the town, and it is no different going into the 2025/26 season.
After leaving following the 2023/24 season, Merrick re-joined the side midway through last season when they found themselves in a time of turmoil.
He steadied the ship but any hopes of promotion or a cup win were already gone.
As preseason kicks off this time round, he hopes for a better chance at the league title and with it, promotion.
"We have got to be quietly confident," he said. "The issue has never been the players. Last year was a tough transition, some people left and some came back.
"We weren't playing for anything and that is when the motivation and commitment isn't there.
"When you start a new season you have got to be confident, we have always got some good players here. If we can add the players we are hoping will come along then it adds competition.
"You can’t shout from the rooftops that something is definitely going to happen but I have always said I am in it to win it. We will take every game at a time and see where that takes us."
Traditionally a West Midlands league club, Merrick feels the size of Ledbury town warrants step six football and hopes to lead them there.
"Step six is the club’s aim," he said. "A town the size of Ledbury, we have historically played in the West Midlands league.
"We need the all-weather pitches that your Malverns and your (Hereford) Peagsuses have, but a town of this size, we have had step six, step five football and that has always been my burning desire.
"It has always been a goal of mine to get Ledbury to that level.
"We have come close twice, I don’t see why we cant come close again. There is always other teams in it and there are no givens in football but that will be our goal, our goal will be to win the league."
READ MORE: Malvern Town bolster coaching staff with ex-Stourport Swifts assistant
READ MORE: Evesham analyst lands call-up to international side
READ MORE: Malvern College golf specialist to coach crowd Open Championship
The side began their preseason campaign on Wednesday, July 2.
Due to pitch issues, they have not organised all of their fixtures for the preseason campaign, however they have confirmed matches with Newent on Friday, July 18 and Perrywood on Wednesday, July 23.
Merrick is hoping his bolstered side will have between six and eight new faces for the season.
Share