Boreham Wood once again defied all expectations in the Vanarama National League and were able to secure a top-half finish, Luke Garrard and his men will now look to rebuild ahead of the 2017/18 campaign.
Having only been in management for 20 months, it was a proud achievement for the young manager and he has assured supporters that they are already in discussion with a number of targets.
“Yes it does feel like some achievement,” Garrard concluded on last season. “We were able to achieve what I feel was a very successful top half finish.”
“Would I do things different at times? 100%, but I’m 31 and just 20 months into my young managerial career; I’m learning on the job and I can see myself improving from all of this.”
The Wood will go into next season in good spirits, but with high-profile sides Hartlepool and Leyton Orient dropping down from the Football League, the former defender is keen to remain grounded.
Garrard continued: “The League this season, in my opinion, is going to be the toughest since we were successful in gaining promotion to the National two years ago.
“You look at the two sides who got relegated, and the four teams that gained promotion, then add those to the existing big hitters at the level and you can see that a positive start is going to be key.
“We know as a group how important points on the board at the start will be and we will work hard throughout pre-season to ensure we can hit the ground running.”
With last season’s loan signings Anthony Jeffrey and Jason Williams both returning to their parent clubs, the 31-year-old knows that there remains rebuilding to do.
“I can imagine the Wood Army are eagerly anticipating a few new faces, that is something that is definitely in progress,” asserted the 31-year-old.
“We currently have eight lads signed, which I’m very happy with and I feel that they are a great base for us to build on.
“We have targets that have been in and around the club in the last few weeks, and conversations are ongoing. We have identified who we wish to sign and that is something we will not pull away from.
“The eight lads we have on contracts are all very good people and have a togetherness which I want to add to, so hopefully in the next couple weeks you will see some players who can add to the squad.”
Garrard says that he will prioritise the striking positions this summer following the departure of forward Morgan Ferrier.
“Strikers at this level, and in fairness any level, cost the most money, they have the task of doing the hardest thing in football, and that is scoring goals,” he stated.
“I would love four top strikers but I have a budget I have to adhere to, so I will see if I can get two real top, top strikers and then hope I have enough for a third, where I feel competition will give them the drive to want to perform.”
The squad will also be boosted by additions from the club’s highly successful academy, with three players earning promotion to the first team.
“Three academy boys will join the squad in pre-season and they deserve every opportunity to impress after what they have achieved this season.
“These guys can be a surprise package and add some real excitement to what is an already promising squad,” Garrard finished.
The Wood will kick-off their pre-season against Luton Town on Saturday, July 22 with further ticket information being released shortly. Follow @BOREHAM_WOODFC on Twitter and @BorehamWoodFC on Facebook for regular updates.
