TO say that it has been a summer of upheaval at Prestatyn Town is a massive understatement, but after a very busy pre-season there is some cause for optimism for the Seasiders as they prepare to make a return to the Huws Gray Alliance.

Virtually all of last season’s squad have decided to move on to pastures new including Michael Parker, Noah Edwards and Reece Fairhurst, and the Town dressing room will feel like a very strange place without the presence of retired skipper Dave Hayes.

Manager Gareth Wilson also left the club for fierce rivals Rhyl, and the board have given a chance to Leon Field and Ryan Thomas following a hugely successful stint at the helm of Kinmel Bay.

It did not take long for the duo to install their own ethos on a plethora of new signings, and there seems to be a very good team hidden within a squad of talented youngsters that have a number of genuine match-winners to call upon when required.

A lot of the new-look squad are yet to prove themselves at second tier level, but they are young, hungry and will have no fear of what lies ahead, which can only be a good thing during what is expected to be a period of consolidation at the club.

Skipper Alex Jones is going to be pivotal to their chances of doing themselves justice against some top-quality opposition, with the attacking midfielder possessing a keen eye for goal and an attitude that is infectious.

The likes of Diego Alvarado, Ben Cawley and Kieran Ellis are sure to be a big threat going forward but will need to be wary about how much they actually commit given the quality littered throughout the HGA, with left-back Steven Douasse another that is going to feature heavily and will provide bundles of energy from the position.

There are going to be difficult times, that is almost certain. This is a young side and many have not played in the HGA before, so it is going to be not only a test of their resolve, but that of the management team to ensure they do not become overawed by the task in hand.

Key man: Sam Kersh

A cultured defender with experience at JD Welsh Premier League level, Kersh is going to be an essential cog in the Town machine this season and his performances will go a long way to determining how much they can actually achieve this term.

He is a commanding presence who is equally as good in the air as he is on the floor, and although he will be coming up against some top strikers who are capable of punishing every mistake, his influence within the Seasiders’ set-up is a huge shot in the arm for Field and Turner’s men as most are heading into unchartered territory.

Player to watch: Jack Hoult

If the Seasiders are going to avoid any complications on their return to the second tier then they are going to need someone to provide goals on a consistent basis, and in Hoult they may have found that man.

He will need to step up significantly but has a proven track record of netting in the Welsh Alliance, and Hoult has really hit the ground running in pre-season which will give him plenty of confidence for when the competitive action kicks-off on August 11.

Verdict:

Confidence and morale will be key for the Seasiders and they cannot get too despondent if things do not go their way early on.

The squad must keep their eye on the bigger picture and identify key games they can get a result in and build from there given the relative inexperience within their squad.

There is enough quality and desire there to make a real go of things and they are definitely going to surprise a few that have already written them off given how much talent the club has lost on-and-off the pitch in the last year.

Prediction: 7th (Huws Gray Alliance)

First five fixtures: Aug 11: Airbus Broughton (H). Aug 18: Porthmadog (A). Aug 21: Rhyl (H). Aug 25: Holywell Town (A). Sept 1: Buckley Town (A).