Paddy Davitt King's Lynn assistant player / manager Andy Johnson wants to turn The Walks into a fortress after landing an opening day Unibond Premier home game against newly-promoted Stocksbridge Park Steels.

Paddy Davitt

King's Lynn assistant player / manager Andy Johnson wants to turn The Walks into a fortress after landing an opening day Unibond Premier home game against newly-promoted Stocksbridge Park Steels.

The Sheffield-based side head to Norfolk on August 15 as Carl Heggs' revamped squad bid to lay down an early marker. Lynn lost only one home match in their Southern Premier title-winning campaign two seasons ago and Johnson is confident the promotion hopefuls can hammer out a clear signal of intent.

“Being at home on the opening day is massive to the fans and the players,” said Johnson. “Myself and Carl have said from day one they will play a major part in what we want to achieve. It's down to our support base and the size of the club that we have been able to attract a lot of these players. We have told them come and play for us - not in front of 150 or 300 fans. For any team in any league it's important to start well. You don't want to play catch up.”

Lynn face a Boxing Day trip to Boston United with the Pilgrims visiting The Walks on Monday. April 5. The club finish the regular league season with a trip to Ossett on Saturday, April 24.

Lynn opened their pre-season campaign with a midweek 2-2 draw at Conference North side Redditch - Heggs' former club.

“I think overall it was positive,” said Johnson. “It was the first time these lads had played together in a competitive game and it has thrown up one or two areas that we need to work on. Redditch are in the league above us and in fairness we were the better side and deserved to win.”

Heggs ran the rule over a quartet of trialists, who are expected to feature again in Saturday's home friendly against Championship outfit Leicester.

t Lowestoft Town start an exciting new chapter in their history with an away trip to Thamesmead Town on the opening day of the Ryman League Division One North campaign.

The Blues begin their new adventure with one of their longest journeys - a 242 mile round trip to The Mead on August 15.

Lowestoft's first home game comes three days later, as they entertain Concord Rangers - the club they beat 1-0 away in the quarter-finals of the FA Vase on their way to Wembley last year.