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FC United will be starting a new chapter in their short life as they make the step up into the National League North this season.

Not only do the Rebels finally have their own home, with Broadhurst Park having been opened with a prestigious friendly against Benfica’s Under-21s in May, but they’ll be playing at step two of non-league football for the first time in their brief history.

After making a rapid rise through the North West Counties League, they then won a third straight promotion from the Evo-Stik North in 2008. But after seven seasons in the Evo-Stik Premier – and four straight play-off defeats – Karl Marginson’s men finally made the breakthrough by winning the league title.

Darren Lyons has been Marginson’s right-hand man since the club was formed in 2005 and is relishing the start of a new era for FC.

“We’re been knocking at the door for a few years and been unlucky – whether it be decisions that have gone against us or mistakes we’ve made, injuries or not having the right personnel,” said the Rebels’ assistant boss.

“But we kept knocking and we’ve got our rewards in the end. It was a great season last year.

“We’re looking forward to all the games because it’s another chapter in the club’s history. We’ve been going 10 years now, which is a nice time to start another chapter.”

Shelton Payne is the only key departure from last season, with the former Trafford forward choosing to stay in the Evo-Stik Premier with Salford City.

There could also be additions before the season opener away to Gloucester City on Saturday.

But FC soon face a stiff examination of their National League credentials as they have been handed their biggest home game of the season as their first league match at Broadhurst Park on August 11 when they host Stockport County.

The Hatters have transformed their squad as the former Championship club aim to win promotion at the third time of asking.

FC have only fully opened the stadium twice, for the Benfica game and Saturday’s 1-1 friendly draw with Wrexham.

“They (the league) aren’t letting us bed in nice and slowly, are they?” laughed Jones.

“They’ve given us something that’s going to test us to the hilt for our first home game.

“Stockport are an ex-Football League side and have aspirations to go up, as we all have, but maybe there’s a bit more pressure on them because of the stature they’ve got.

“Everybody knows Stockport County. I suppose everybody knows who FC United are too now but it’s for other reasons.

“They’ve got a good, long history so it’ll be a test because they’re up there with the favourites to go up this season.”

So too are FC, but while Jones admits the Rebels aspire to win promotion, he insists the club don’t expect to make a realistic challenge this term.

“In our first season at this level we just want to consolidate and find our feet,” he said.

“If we get a good league position in mid-table and have a good cup run to put some money in the coffers, that’ll do us I think. I know it’s boring but we’re not setting any targets.

“Promotion or the play-offs are not something we’re even talking about. But we’ll give it a go, we’ll give it our best shot.

“We’re quite happy with what we’ve got, we’ve kept most of the squad from last season and managed to keep them together.

“Some of the lads have turned down good offers from other clubs so we’re fortunate that they’re loyal and they want to come into Broadhurst Park with us.”