NIGEL Gleghorn insists he will not be putting extra pressure on his players as the Dabbers prepare for a landmark season.

The 2003/04 campaign is to be Nantwich's last at Jackson Avenue, their home for around a century, with a move to a new £1.3m stadium at Kingsley Fields earmarked for next year.

The season could also mark a sea change in the club's playing status. As a result of the planned restructuring of the non-league, the top four in the North West Counties League Division One will win promotion.

Player-manager Gleghorn said: 'I think the promotion issue may came down to facilities as well, which would suit us with the move to the new ground coming up, but I won't be putting any extra pressure on my players. We will just be aiming to have a good season and I think we can improve on last season.'

Nantwich clinched a top-six finish last term and Gleghorn believes his young squad will be better for the experience.

'We just need to be a bit more consistent. We hit a bit of a sticky patch towards March and that was disappointing. It's mainly the same squad but we've brought a few players in and I think we have a better squad than last season. If we can find that extra consistency, I think we should be able to finish in the top four.'

Those new signings include Mark Maguire and Danny Griggs, who both had previous spells at Jackson Avenue, Altrincham duo Alan Forrester and Otis Thomas.

'Otis has a lot of pace and I think he will pose problems for defenders, while Danny can play wide on either flank or down the middle, so he give us options. Like Danny, Mark has had experience with a Conference club after a spell at Northwich and he will be a good addition as well.

'Having Steve Jardine back is also like a new signing after he spent so long out injured last year.'

On the outgoing side, only talented winger Simon Hackney has left for Woodley Sports, something which has disappointed Gleghorn.

'I always want the players to better themselves and if I felt he had done that, nothing would have been said, but I think Wood-ley is a sideways move for him. It was Simon's decision and he will live or die by it.' Chairman Clive Jackson has warned the players to curb their Sunday football activities as the focus is sharpened on challenging for the top spots.

Gleghorn added: 'Clive has also told me he will help me strengthen the squad if I need to but I will try to stick to my budget and won't be bankrupting the club in a bid to win promotion.'

Such ambitions may not be helped by a tough run-in and the Nantwich boss admits to raising an eyebrow at the fixture list.

'We have to play Clitheroe twice in the last eight games and Newcastle Town twice in the last eight games. I expect both those teams to be among those challenging and it does seem a bit of an odd way to plan the fixtures. It certainly looks like we'll have a tough finish!'

* Nantwich finished their pre-season build-up with a 1-1 draw at Kidsgrove on Saturday.

The Dabbers kick-off their final season at Jackson Avenue against Squires Gate on Saturday and visit Curzon Ashton on Monday.