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Stockport County bosses couldn’t be more emphatic when outlining their aims for the new season.

Their intent is clear after a summer which has seen a complete overhaul of the playing squad following new manager Neil Young’s arrival.

But now, the ‘revolution’ has to reap rewards on the field as they head into their opening match of the season against Boston on Saturday.

Except for goalkeeper Danny Hurst and some youngsters, the entire squad was either released or transfer-listed by the former Chester FC boss – including last season’s top scorer Kristian Dennis, who has joined Macclesfield on loan, and popular defender Mark Lees.

And 16 new players have signed on the dotted line at Edgeley Park.

Among them are Lewis Montrose, Kayode Odejayi and Abdulai Baggie – players with Football League experience in abundance, something which has been sorely lacking ever since Stockport’s demotion to non-league football in 2011.

Glenn Rule turned his back on a chance at European football with Airbus UK to join Young’s new-look side after four years with the Welsh Premier League club.

And the 25-year-old midfielder, for whom County paid an undisclosed fee, is quick to play down any pressure on the players this season.

“At a club like this, people around the place should naturally expect promotion, so it’s not something which has an effect,” he said.

“But when I signed, Neil made it clear that rebuilding the side was the first aim – promotion is obviously a goal, but we will just go at it one game at a time while we gel as a team.”

The lack of hesitation Rule had about signing for Stockport speaks volumes about Young’s work.

The ambitious 40-year-old led Chester to three successive promotions, finishing top of this league in 2013, before making the most of a well-earned break from management.

“The size of the club stood out, but just having the chance to get back into the English leagues and challenge for the title was a big draw,” said Rule. “Adding that to Neil’s plans and ambitions for Stockport, it just made it all too big to turn down.

“Neil’s been out of the game studying players and teams, especially County, and he knows what he needs to get out of this league,” added the former Stalybridge man.

“We’ve already shown that we can adapt and play a few different formations and that we have enough quality to control games, which will help throughout the season.”

One fear amongst the fanbase has been the lack of goals. Although Baggie has found the target several times, Odejayi, youngster Lamin Colley and ex-Clitheroe forward Sefton Gonzales are yet to fire.

“The work-rate of the forwards we have is incredible,” said Rule. “They all have goals in them. But the midfield have to chip in too, as we can’t just rely on them.”