Jimmy Bell is urging more fans to get behind Accrington Stanley and help them in the unchartered territory of League One.
The Reds have sold a record number of season tickets so far – over 1,000 – as they come up against the likes of Sunderland and Charlton for the first time.
League Two champions Stanley will have the lowest budget and the lowest crowds in the third tier but they, as always, will be aiming for the top.
“We are going to set out to win the league, we always do, but we will take the season in stages,” said the assistant boss.
“We were favourites to do go down last year, the smallest budget, but we are fighters and where we will end up next season, I don't know. I didn't know where we would end up this season!
“To forecast where we will finish is impossible but we will give it our all and, with the fans backing and with the players we have got, everything about it, who knows?
“Sunderland have a ground capacity of 49,000 and I looked at how many people live in Accrington and it's around 35,000 - that puts in place the kind of teams we will be facing and there will be a lot of big clubs in League One.
“But I think we have played 18 of them so we are not scared, we know what we're going into and it's another part of our journey and we want the town of Accrington to get on board and follow and support us. It will be a fantastic season.
“Both Blackburn and Burnley had fantastic seasons and we are bang in the middle but there is no reason, if we keep doing well, why we can't get support from both sides and from afar and get more of the town involved.
“Going back a few years, we got 3,000 when we played Morecambe.
“I don't know why people didn't come, perhaps they got fed up with League Two, but we have moved on again and I urge people to come and support us now.
“It's a fantastic club, work is being done at the ground, the players are accessible and everyone at the helm is doing it for Accrington Stanley and the town of Accrington.
“I know people have got disillusioned with the Premier League so we want them to come to Accrington, give it a go and they will be hooked. We have seen it happen so many times.”
For season ticket details go to:
http://leescarter.com/season-tickets/