CHORLEY FC boss Jamie Vermiglio says their heroics from last season getting promoted to the National League are in the ‘past’ and is challenging his side to show they are not in the fifth tier to make up the numbers.

The Magpies get the 2019/20 campaign under way on Saturday when they entertain Bromley at Victory Park at 3pm.

Heading into the season opener, Vermiglio is hopeful they can get off to a good start.

He said: “We are all looking forward to it and we have been working on our shape and organisation ready for Bromley.

“It was a great achievement what we did last year considering some of the calibre of teams we came up against and still got up.

“But we have celebrated that and now we are looking ahead to this campaign.

“It is all coming together and the odds make us favourites to go straight back down and this is an opportunity for us to prove people wrong. It is not going to be easy as it is a tough league.

“We know a little bit about Bromley after watching them during pre-season when they played Charlton.

“They are a very strong, physical side with a lot of energy and can play it direct when they want to.

“But we have been getting ready for this for 10-12 weeks and it will be nice for the lads to have their names on the backs of their shirts for the full season.

“It should be some motivation for them as we are a semi-professional club and we expect it to be a great occasion and try to pick up three points.

“It is not imperative that we get a win as you only need to look at Salford City as they lost a few games and yet they went on to win the league.

“However, we showed last year that the wins early on can bring some momentum and gave us some breathing space.

“It is going to take 70 points to reach the play-offs which will be very tough but it is an ambition we have set our sights on.”

Vermiglio was keeping tight-lipped about his squad and team for the first game of the season.

He said: “We have still got a few injuries and we may be missing three or possibly four.

“However, it will be good to give people the opportunity to stake claims for a shirt and add competition when players return to action.

“We have got a lot of strength in depth in defence but will be looking at adding more players in other areas.”

Vermiglio is excited about leading the side in a new chapter in their history.

He said: “It was great to get over the line and get promoted as we have been trying to do it for four or five years. However, it is down to the work of others. Garry Flitcroft set the ball rolling then Matty (Jansen) did a great job and now we have kicked on even more.”