STOURPORT Swifts manager Neil Hunt believes he has built a squad capable of making a marked improvement on last season.

The Walshes Meadow club finished 17th in British Gas Business Division One Midlands last term with 38 points from 40 games.

On Saturday they begin their 2008/09 campaign at Woodford United (3pm), who finished two places lower, and Hunt is confident they will be a tougher side to beat this time around.

The former Pershore Town boss has added experience to the ranks in the shape of ex-Worcester City midfielder John Snape and former Redditch centre-half Matt Gardener.

Hunt said: “I am looking forward to it, it will be nice to get the season started, friendlies are starting to annoy me.

“I am confident that we are better than last year but whether we will finish in the top 10 is debatable. I would like to think we can finish in the top 10 with our players. We have got a lot more experience than last year with John Snape and Matt Gardener.”

Woodford managed just seven wins last season and were 11 points worse off than Swifts and Hunt is targeting three points to get the season off and running.

“It’s a game that we are looking to get a result from,” the Stourport manager said. “They finished just below us last year so there’s no reason why we can’t go and beat them. It’s a place we want to go and win and that’s what we will be looking to do.”

Striker Scott Morris is a doubt for the match through injury but otherwise Hunt has a fully fit squad to pick from.