The introduction of promotion play-offs into the Southern Counties East Premier Division is a welcome boost for the likes of Hollands & Blair.
In past seasons the race for promotion out of Step Five has been dominated by one or two teams - Erith & Belvedere went up as champions last term and Phoenix Sports won the inter-step promotion match against VCD.
Sheppey and Chatham swept aside allcomers the previous year. Blair are hoping to be in the mix this season as positions two to five will be open for a four-team end-of-season play-offs and a chance of making it into the Isthmian League.
It’s still a big ask for Blair, who finished 15th last year, but they head into this season on the back of their SCEFL Challenge Cup win in May and, unlike last term, have had a home ground to warm up for the season and a place to call their own.