MARCH TOWN UNITED chairman Phil White believes the club is full of positivity ahead of the new campaign.

The Hares, who finished seventh last season, have secured sponsorship for new home and away kits and hope that their good end to the season will attract more supporters to the GER.

Chairman White said: “There isn’t one thing that is negative about this football club at the moment.

“The sponsorship from Fenmarc is massive to us. It’s huge. There’s nothing here to stop us progressing as far as we’re concerned. We’ve got an F.A Cup game coming up against Gorleston at home on the 14th and it would be nice to see a lot more people down here.”

White is also relishing Jamie Weston’s second season in charge and believes he is perfect man to take March forward. He said: “We’ve got a quality manager and we know that he’s the best in the league.”

Vice chairman Gerry Roe echoed White’s optimism. He said: “If we can be consistent in the league programme we’ll be fine. On our day we can beat anybody and we’ve show that already. We’re all gaining experience as we came here together.”

“We’re all new except the secretary (Ray Bennett) who has been here for years. We are now learning how to win matches and succeed and once we do that then the ball will start rolling.”

March were unlucky to lose their home friendly 2-0 against St. Ives Town on Saturday July 31.

The Saints, plying their trade a tier higher than March, took the lead after five minutes when Scott Fielding slotted home from close range. They doubled their advantage after 20 minutes when Fielding was fouled in the area by right-back Scott Bogusz. Carl Foreman drove the resulting penalty straight down the middle to put the visitors two ahead.

Luke Pepper then went close twice with a couple of efforts that fizzed just over the bar before Scott Bogusz had a goal disallowed for offside. Despite ending the half on top The Hares went in two goals behind at the break.

The second period became scrappy, like many pre-season games tend to, but March dominated possession. The home side nearly pulled one back when a goalmouth scramble saw Lee Day go close.

Both sides had further chances, the best falling to March’s Ashley Brand who failed to finish past the onrushing St. Ives keeper.

Despite the defeat March should be happy with how they competed against a side from a division above. Ashley Brand had plenty of joy in the second-half, wreaking havoc with his pace while Luke Pepper and Denny Escorcio showed enough flashes to indicate fine season’s ahead for both of them again.

March: Brookes, Bogusz (Bates, 70), Welcher, Sutton, Day, Roddis, Pepper, Newton (Melton, 70), Brand, Escorcio, Richardson (Goult, 58)

Man of the match: Luke Pepper – Just pipped Brand and Escorcio. Drove his team forward in the first-half and went close on two occasions with fine efforts. Always looked to get the ball down and was at the heart of his sides best moves.