Almost every football club in the country suffered through the pandemic but London Colney are hoping that the new campaign can act as a redemption.

They were heading towards relegation from the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division in 2020 when the season was suddenly voided in the wake of the pandemic.

And despite slightly better results last time out in the short curtailed season, the Blueboys were again towards the bottom of the standings.

However, they head into the new season with the feeling of a clean slate and manager Jack Metcalfe, promoted from his assistant role to the top job in March, believes their pre-season has left them in a "good place".

He said: "We’ve had a positive pre-season. We’ve gelled in some new heads and we’ve worked on playing some of the more long-serving players at the club in different positions and different roles.

"We’re in a good place. We’ve put a little run together and we are ready to start the season in a similar vein.

"There’s a good feeling around the club. The boys we have brought in have been brilliant and have added to the squad and the boys who have been at the club for a while now are showing that they are better players than they have been for the past few seasons.

"The togetherness is there both on and off the pitch."

They have had a busy pre-season, playing a number of sides higher up the pyramid, and they have more than held their own in a couple.

That all

Metcalfe said: "We went to Cheshunt with two sides and the boys who played in the first half were brilliant.

"We played some really nice stuff and put them to the sword.

"It was the opposite against Hertford. We started a little bit slower but grew into the game in the second half and scored to good goals.

"We held Waltham Abbey for 60 minutes and arguably had the better chances.

"We’ve had chat internally about our targets but the performances we’ve had breed confidence and the confidence can turn into results.

"We scored three good goals against London Lions and then managed to see it out and then went to Sawbridgeworth, an equivalent level side to us, and we were brilliant.

"We were good value for the win. We were 3-0 up at half-time again and could have and should have been more."

Goals was something that was lacking from the Cotslandwick-based side in the previous two seasons, scoring just 41 in 39 games.

But the boss is delighted with the improvement in that department during the friendly games.

He said: "Usually in pre-season it is difficult to get the cohesion together to go and score goals.

"You’re normally in close, tight games but to score the amount we have is pleasing.

"That has been something we have struggled to do in recent seasons.

"It’s nice that we have been scoring regularly and with different personnel too.

"It’s not dependent on one, it’s a collective effort."