CHORLEY FC’s promotion-winning skipper Andy Teague says the Magpies are excited about the new National League campaign and are ready to prove ‘they are not there to make up the numbers’.

The players returned for the start of pre-season last week and the defender says it was great to get back on the pitch ahead of the upcoming campaign.

The former Macclesfield Town player, who played in the Football League for the Silkmen before dropping into non-league, cannot wait for the new chapter in the club’s history.

He said: “It is a new time for the club but at the same time it is like the lads have never been away as we are all good friends and usually see each other during the off-season.

“It is four or five weeks since the play-off final and it was great to be back around them again.

“To be captain of Chorley and managing to get into the National League is brilliant.

“There are some players here who could play at a higher level and we should be proving that.

“To have three promotions in 10 years is a great achievement and if we can go on a run like last year you never know we may make the play-offs again.

“It is all about getting ready for the first game which kicks off on August 3.”

Boss Jamie Vermiglio says the club are in talks with three players about signing but ‘are not yet over the line’.

Just like most of the management team and fans alike, the 33-year-old defender will be keeping an eye on the fixture list when it is released next Wednesday, July 3.

For Teague, one game in particular stands out when looking ahead to next season.

The Magpies skipper said: “It will be good to be up against Notts County especially as they have come out of the Football League and we will be on a high after being promoted.

“The Magpies against the Magpies game will be something great and who knows it may be the first game of the season.”

Given the respective journeys on the clubs it is one game that could be televised, and that exposure is something that excites the campaign.

Teague said: “We have been told that we will get three matches on TV which is great.

“We have played big games in the FA Cup but it shows how far the club have come that our matches will be on TV.

“There are also games against big clubs such as Wrexham to come and it will be up to us to prove that we are not there just to make up the numbers.”

Another change for the Magpies will be that their shirts will have names and numbers on them next season.

He said: “It will be great that we will have that in the National League.

“It will be just another professional step forward too.

“A lot of work has been done off the field to get the club to this stage and more is going on.

“It shows how much we have grown that players are coming to tell us they want to join Chorley rather than us chasing after players.”