Cook wants promotion challenge

While some managers may opt to play their cards close their chest on the eve of a new season, Jason Cook has been open regarding his hopes for Diss Town this season.

After a variety of factors conspired to make last season a tough one for all connected with the Tangerines, a raft of summer arrivals has lifted a lot of the gloom ahead of the 2018/19 Thurlow Nunn League First Division North campaign getting under way.

Those on the outside are bound to be watching events at Brewers Green Lane with intrigue over the coming months, with Cook’s new-look team already tipped by many to be challenging for promotion.

And rather than play down those suggestions, Cook instead has called on his players to embrace the challenge.

“Realistically we want to make sure we are in the top four at Christmas. From there, you can then have a good crack at it,” he said.

“We are not going to hide the fact that as a club we would like to be pushing for promotion and returning this club to the Premier Division.

“We have signed the players to do that. We have got lads in that have been there and done it.

“There will be a bit of pressure and some expectation. Diss is also a big club at this level, so sides are going to want to beat us.

“But there is no hiding place. We have got some good lads in the ranks, now it is about adapting to the challenge and raising our levels.”

Diss, who have added the likes of Ricky Cornish, Steve Holder, Paul Betson and Gavin Flurrie to the squad during the off-season, open up tomorrow at home against Leiston Reserves (3pm).

A trip to newly-promoted Mulbarton Wanderers follows on Tuesday (7.45pm), with Cook keen to hit the ground running.

“You need to make a good start to any season,” he added.

“We have a lot of new players and it needs to gel, but there have been signs in the friendlies that it is happening already.”