Ebbsfleet United manager Danny Searle on changing the environment, having no excuses and relishing the chance to mould his own squad this season

It's a new-look Ebbsfleet side that take to the field on Saturday - and a new-look club off the pitch, too.

Manager Danny Searle has been keen to make his mark as the Fleet look to establish themselves in the National League.

The introduction of an open training session for fans, followed by a meet and greet with supporters, has been backed up by off-the-field changes which the Fleet hope will raise their levels.

"You're inheriting a group of players and it's really difficult to talk about things like that without sounding like you're criticising previous regimes or how it used to be. It's not about that," explained Searle.

"It's a different mindset, a different environment and a different culture. There's certain things that are valuable to me, my core principles and how I want our dressing room and the club to be. that will be different to another manager. People will argue until the cows come home about who is right or wrong.

"For me, there were things that needed to be addressed and dealt with and I feel we've done that. It was difficult for me to do that last year as I felt we were fighting fires and we needed to get everyone on side as quickly as we could.

"We did that as we were basically doomed by outside people and we managed to survive. Obviously, I get credit for that but it wasn't just about me, there was a massive team effort with the staff, players, backroom staff, Damian (Irvine, chief executive) and the owner.

"We came together and we need to keep that togetherness, adding the bits of professionalism that I believe we need to be better. We've got a new medical room, a new changing room, our analysis team is different, we've changed the staff and got different people in who I believe are trying to enhance