After last season’s struggles, the 44-year-old has wasted no time bolstering his side, with five new additions already being brought into the fold and he hasn’t ruled out recruiting more.

Talking during the first training session of pre-season on Saturday, Clifford said: “If the right person becomes available, absolutely there will be business done.

“The chairman’s made it very clear his intentions match mine.”

Clifford even revealed there might even be a new signing within the week, as the club are currently in negotiations with someone.

“There’s someone we tried to sign earlier in the summer, who’s actually here today and we’re going to try and get that deal done in the next week and that will be a really exciting one for us.”

Despite a large influx of new talent, Clifford says the new players have quickly acclimatised to their new surroundings.

He said: “We’re only a couple of hours in, but it seems to me that they’re gelling quite well with the group.

“Football’s a small world and a couple of them have played with each other in the past or know of each other so some of those relationships gel quite quickly - which is great to see."

The club struggled offensively last season and the boss has brought in two talented forwards in Anthony Dwyer and Gregg Smith, and is taking a look at a couple of others in order to strengthen his front line.

“There’s six strikers pretty much working for four spaces at the moment, so there’s
competition there and they’re going to have to work hard to get in that side, including the new boys - they’re not guaranteed a place,” he said.

And despite it only being the first day of pre-season, Clifford is already impressed with what he’s seen from his side so far, alongside newly appointed assistant Dave Frecklington.

“Already I’ve seen a lot of effort and commitment from the lads. It’s been good to see.

“What I want to see is individual’s working hard and the group coming together and that’s the main aim for me in the first week of pre-season.”

With plenty of work already done, Clifford even revealed his ambitions for the upcoming season and wants to see his side competing towards the top of the table, saying: “We’re going to take every game as it comes, but we’re going to have a really strong pre-season and the group is going to gel.

“As far as the season is concerned, we want to be right up there - that’s what we’re here for. If that wasn’t our ambition, we might as well pack up our things now and go home.

We want to gain promotion, I’ll make no bones out it, the chairman wants promotion and we want to be playing National League football next year.”

Our first pre-season friendly takes place on Saturday, July 2 at home against Clifton All Whites (1pm).