Confidence and expectation are the watch words for Dereham Town boss Matt Henman on the eve of the new Ridgeons League season.'For the first time we are considered genuine contenders for the championship.

Confidence and expectation are the watch words for Dereham Town boss Matt Henman on the eve of the new Ridgeons League season.

'For the first time we are considered genuine contenders for the championship. And having finished a close fourth last year and the winners, Lowestoft, being promoted we are definitely aiming to be in the shake-up come the end of the season,' said Henman, ahead of the curtain raiser at Haverhill on Saturday and Tuesday's home match with Ely City.

'There are probably three or four other teams who will be thinking the same as us and it is a long season, but it's important we start well and put ourselves in a good position going in to the new year.'

The Magpies had a successful pre-season, including a 3-2 win over King's Lynn, and they impressed many people visiting Aldiss Park as they drew 1-1 with a Norwich City XI.

Henman said: 'We wanted to build on the achievements of last year so there have been no major changes to the squad, but the continuity this brings is very important and we

have recorded some impressive displays so far in front of some good home crowds.'

He urged the people of Dereham to get behind its football club. 'Everyone who has watched us has been very complimentary about the team. The onus is on us to continue or success but it would be great to put another

70-80 on the gate on a regular basis and this would make so much difference to the team.'

'It's important we have a good atmosphere inside Aldiss Park this season to emulate the noise we heard in the home FA Vase games last year. If the club, the players and the supporters all pull together I'm sure our 125th season can be our most successful yet.'

The manager praised the work which has gone on behind the scenes to support the team. 'The club and the chairman have been great in the summer, working to provide new tracksuits for the players, new kits and equipment for all teams and a fantastic team bus for travel for players and supporters.'

The coach will leave Aldiss Park on Saturday at 12.15pm and the cost is �5 return.

A coach 'season ticket' is available for all away games at a cost of �80. Contact Ginny Barnes at the club on 01362 690460 for bookings.

Dereham Town's new retro-look away kit was unveiled at Aldiss Park last week as part of the club's 125th anniversary celebrations.

The new look kit - complete with a nod to eras past with a lace-up front - is in green and white and sponsored by Specsavers. For many years green and white was the club's colours before switching to black and white.

The anniversary celebrations continued on Friday night as England legend Peter Shilton was guest speaker at a dinner at Aldiss Park. He spoke about his long and illustrious career and also paid tribute to Sir Bobby Robson, who died earlier in the day.

Both Dereham and Fakenham are celebrating their 125th year anniversaries and the Times has produced supplements to mark both landmark occasions.

The Fakenham one is available free of charge from the Fakenham and Wells Times office in Fakenham or the Dereham Times office in Dereham and at the football club at home matches.

The Dereham supplement is also free and available free charge from Aldiss Park or the Dereham Times office in Dereham. It contains The Magpies fixtures for the 2009/10 season.

Both are available online at www.derehamtimes.co.uk