"After weeks of hard work we finally get around to business once again tomorrow with the trip to Barrow for or first Blue Square Premier game of the season. It is a long trip for the players, who left this morning and will train up there ahead of the game, but I remain in awe of our supporters who I know will make the trip tomorrow come rain or come shine. You are a credit to the club and I hope we can get the result you deserve.

We follow Friday's game with our first two home games, against Weymouth and Eastbourne. Once again I thank you for your support. We have sold around 2,700 season tickets for the coming campaign and that is a fantastic number. We will be the best supported team in the league once more and I am convinced that this year is the one where we repay your faith. There will still be plenty of room for more fans. Maybe you know people who came to see the Manchester United and Portsmouth friendlies and would like to see a 'real' match? Or maybe you know people who have drifted away over the last few years. If so bring them along and let them enjoy what I'm sure will be two great games.

I have worked very closely with Darren this summer to try and make sure that we brought in players with proven track records and real quality. We stayed patient and stuck to our guns and that paid off. All of the players have settled quickly and you have already seen the way we intend to play. The emphasis is on the exciting attacking football that all of the great Oxford United sides of the past have played, the teams we all recall with a smile. We want to score goals and allow players to play with a certain freedom within the team structure, and I'm sure that is the way you would want your team to play as well.

Of course it's easy to say things before a ball has been kicked. We are under no illusions about the task that lies ahead. This is one tough league to get out of, and gets tougher every season. Teams are spending more money than ever before, are better prepared, and have better players. We will not take any opponents for granted, will treat every club with respect, but we feel we have the fans, the staff, the manager and the players to do well and achieve our one goal, promotion back into the Football League.

I look forward to seeing you at Barrow and at all the games this season. Just like on Friday, there is a long road ahead. Let's take those first steps united.

Enjoy the season.

Nick Merry