HOLLAND FC are a club on the up, according to upbeat joint-manager Rob Batten.

The coastal side are gearing up for the new Essex and Suffolk Border League season, which gets under way on August 15.

They have promotion firmly in their sights, having applied to go up last term but been denied by the FA.

And as disappointing as that was at the time, Batten says the situation has made them even more determined to achieve Thurlow Nunn League football.

“It’s put extra fire in our bellies,” said Batten, who will run the team alongside new joint-manager Glenn Cowen, backed up by coaches Paul Abbott and Glenn Eldridge.

“We’re a club on the up and there’s nothing to stop us now, in terms of aiming for promotion.

“If we don’t do it on the pitch, we’ve only got ourselves to blame."

For the full story, see this week's Gazette.