PERSHORE Town are "aiming for the play-offs" according to new boss Lewis Marston, who is ready to continue what his predecessor Danny Janes started. 

Marston replaced Janes following the latter's shock departure at the end of last season and will lead Pershore into Step 5 after their promotion from the Hellenic League Division One.

Promotion was one of a number of achievements Janes accomplished during his 18-month spell with the Plums. He also led them to a non-league treble in the 2021/22 campaign, which included the Worcestershire County Cup trophy.

Marston has managed to hold on to the majority of the team that did so well with Janes in charge and now he is ready to get stuck in, with his sights set on a play-off place.

"It has been a busy period with those coming in and those going out but it has all been positive, we are going in under the radar so we are happy," he said.

"We sat down with all the staff and thought all the players here deserve to play at step 5 and they have earned that, that was always the idea coming in.

"We have lost a few but we have brought players in who can play at the level and they will be good additions.

"I look around the league and the teams in it and we are aiming for the playoffs, that will be our first aim but we want to keep plugging away and seeing where we stand, that's the plan really and see what we can do." 

The job for Marston is a big one, there is no doubting that. Janes, ably assisted by right-hand man Tom Milward, helped put Pershore back on the non-league map and Marston has big shoes to fill.

But he is taking it all in his stride and believes the foundations set by Janes provides him with the platform to kick on.

"I see it as a building block (what Janes created), it's a great platform to come in and push on," he added.

"I see it as a positive. The club is in a good place, it's going in the right direction.

"One thing that has been evident, the lads are all very coachable and have been coached well, there are no bad eggs here and hopefully we can keep building from there."

Pershore begin their pre-season campaign on Saturday afternoon when they face Coventry Sphinx on the 4G at the University of Warwick.

"Coventry Sphinx are a good side, they have just been promoted," said Marston.

"They are a solid team, but quite similar to what we are I think so it should be a good opposition for us first up."