Ottery St Mary launch a new Devon and Exeter League season today (Saturday) when they entertain Beer Albion Reserves (3pm).

The Otters were in action on Thursday night, contesting the final of the Bill Slee Cup, a fixture they lost 4-1 against Kentisbeare at Budleigh Salterton’s Greenway Lane ground.

With pre-season now done and the Otters all set for the ‘real business’, Fairweather feels the team are in a far better place than they were some 12 months ago.

The Otters boss says: “We have had a good pre-season, considerably better than the one we had a year ago and I do feel that we are very ready for the season ahead. In terms of recruitment, we have brought in five new faces which have made a big difference to the squad.”

The advent of an Under-18 side has also delighted Fairweather, who says: “If you think that now, with the Under-18 side, we have some very promising young players who are going to, in a very short space of time, be really pushing for berths in the senior team, and that is so good for the long-term wellbeing of the club.”

As for the first game being at the club’s Washbrook Meadow home, Fairweather says: “Being at home for the opening game is perfect. I am very keen for us to make a good start. Last year we didn’t and so were always playing catch-up and, if we are to realise our ‘target’ for this new season, then getting a good strong start under our belts is paramount.”

As for that ‘target’, Fairweather says: “The players know what is required. We need to keep moving this club forward and to do that we need to be looking to start in Division Two in 12 months’ time.

“That said, I am happy with the group of players we have and do feel they have it in them to get the job done.”

Kick-off tomorrow is 3pm, admission to the game is free and there is a match programme which commands a ‘donation’ with all monies raised from the matchday publication going to local charities.