WORCESTER City’s start to the Vanarama National League North next season “does not get any tougher”, according to manager Carl Heeley.

The Blue and Whites will open up against Harrogate Town, who lost in the play-off semi-final last season, at the Victoria Ground.

They will then face tough trips to Tamworth where they lost 3-0 last time out and FC Halifax Town, who will be aiming to return to the National League at the first time of asking.

Manager Carl Heeley, whose side finished the 2015/16 campaign just two points above the drop zone, admitted this term would be a “challenge” for his team.

“I am sure the teams we play in the first three games will have aspirations to challenge for promotion, so it does not get any tougher," he said.

“But all we have got to concentrate on is getting ourselves as well prepared as we possibly can.

“We know we are going to have challenges next season, but we are at home first and it is always nice to get the points tally ticking over as soon as possible.

“I am sure Harrogate will be there or thereabouts next season, but we have proven that we can compete against the sides at the top end of the table.

“Everyone is starting from a clean slate, so we are looking forward to it.”

As well as Halifax, Altrincham and Worcestershire rivals Kidderminster Harriers, who City take on over the festive period, will be determined to bounce back following relegation.

Worcester will also come up against Salford City, who are backed by Singapore billionaire Peter Lim, and phoenix club Darlington 1883 after both coming up from the Northern League Premier Division.

And Heeley believes it will be City’s “toughest” season yet due to the amount of sides capable of gunning for promotion.

“Normally you look at a league and say there are seven or eight teams that you think are going to compete for those top six places,” he said.

“But realistically you can double that in our league.

“There is going to be a big spread of sides that feel they can challenge for the top places.

“When you have clubs like Salford, Darlington, Kidderminster Harriers, Halifax and Altrincham coming into the league, it is obvious it is going to be tougher next season.

“There are more and more sides moving towards full-time and there are clubs with a good support base and good financial backing.

“When you combine all those, it makes the league even more competitive and difficult to predict.

“There will be no easy games, so it is about getting as many points on the board as we possibly can over the season and where ever those points come we will take them gladly.”