HEREFORD United manager Martin Foyle believes tonight’s Blue Square Bet Premier clash against Macclesfield Town (7.30) is the ideal starter for his side.

The Bulls bring the curtain up on the new campaign under the gaze of the Premier Sports cameras at Edgar Street as United return to non-league football for the first time since 2006.

Pre-season has seen the team go unbeaten in seven matches, keeping five clean sheets along the way, and the new recruits are bedding in ahead of Foyle’s first competitive match in charge.

Playing against the side relegated with them from League Two last season also adds an extra dimension, particularly as the Silkmen won the corresponding fixture 4-0 last August.

The Hereford boss said: “We have worked hard, the attitude of the players has been spot-on and after five weeks we are actually looking forward to it now.

“The players that were here last season owe Macclesfield one for when they hammered us 4-0 but they have had a big turn-around of players and I think they will be in the top eight.

“It’s a good game for us because we are at home and on television. Straight away, the players are in the limelight and teams will get a look at us.

“We need to make a steady start and keep clean sheets like we did in pre-season but we need to improve in the final third.

“But it’s about what we do over 46 games. It’s not about the start because sometimes that can put more pressure on you.”

Foyle, named as Richard O’Kelly’s successor in May, has not ruled out new signings before the match with 18 in the squad, including seven summer additions.

Hereford face five league games this month and another seven in September so the former York City boss feels more strength in depth is needed, even though finances are tight.

He added: “We are trying (to bring players in) because we are still light so we have been to games watching players. We can sign somebody up until three hours before kick-off. It’s something we have got to look at.”

Young keeper Dan Hanford is ready to retain the number one jersey he has held in pre-season as James Bittner, a new signing from Forest Green Rovers, is struggling with a back problem.

Defenders Luke Graham, Andy Gallinagh and Chris Carruthers, winger Marley Watkins and strikers Marlon Jackson and Ryan Bowman are all in line for debuts.