BANGOR City boss Craig Harrison is urging his side to take nothing for granted as they begin their Huws Gray Alliance title charge this weekend.

The Citizens open their second-tier campaign at home to Buckley Town on Saturday (2.30pm), and there are lofty expectations at the VSM Stadium after a turbulent summer that has seen a massive overhaul of playing and backroom staff.

The former New Saints manager has assembled a heavyweight squad as they look to make an instant return to the top flight, and Harrison is keen to get down to business following the conclusion of their pre-season fixtures.

He said: “I’m not the biggest fan of pre-season as things are still up in the air and you are making so many changes, and I think the way I play it would be more beneficial to train rather than play friendlies.

“I know what sort of team I am going to be putting out when we get underway, so it was just a case of getting minutes into every to make sure they are ready.”

City have made a number of key acquisitions in the form of Marc Williams, Phil Baker and returning hero Les Davies, and Harrison feels he has the right blend of age and experience to ensure their goals are met at the end of the season.

“At Hartlepool a mistake I made was not bringing in experienced players who were used to winning, and I did not want that to happen at a massive club like Bangor,” added Harrison.

“We have brought in Jake Phillips and Jacob Farley who are still very young, and with the likes of Alex Boss I feel we have the right mix of characters within the squad.

“Last season’s squad were all good players and they achieved a lot, but playing in the Huws Gray Alliance was not what they signed up for but I have players here now who know what is expected of them so it is all about getting the mental side of their game right.

“Buckley are going to come here with a winning mentality having got themselves into the division, and the pressure will be all on us to get off to a good start.”

Harrison stated he expects Rhyl Airbus Broughton, Flint Town United and Porthmadog to be the biggest challengers for the title, and added that winning the championship is “the be all and end all” for his side this term.

He said: “We have to make sure we grind results out and nothing is a foregone conclusion. I do want us to play the right way but when the time comes I know we can go away somewhere and grind out a 1-0, which is what you need to get success.”