BROWN Clee joint manager Phil Brick says his side must begin to believe in themselves – particularly in front of goal – if they are to avoid a repeat of last season’s struggles.

Clee finished bottom of the Shropshire Premier last term with just one win, two draws and 15 losses from their 18 games, but with only one division in the league, there is no relegation.

However, Clee improved as the season went on and were unbeaten in their final two home games, holding fifth-placed Gobowen Celtic 2-2 and impressively thrashing fourth-placed Prees United 4-1.

Former boss Gareth Horler has stepped down after three years in charge, with Chris Yarwood and 46-year-old Brick – who has been with the club most of his adult life in some capacity – taking over.

Pre-season has gone okay, with Clee rounding off their friendlies with a narrow 1-0 loss at Shobdon on Saturday, following a 3-0 defeat at a strong Bridgnorth side and a 1-1 draw with Churchstoke.

Brick, who was previously player-manager for Clee for around a decade, said: “We have the same team, the same bunch of players and our ambition will be to finish as high as we can.

“We want to try to give every team a game and too often last year there was not enough belief in the team, which I guess is understandable when you are losing every week.

“I just want them to have a bit more belief in themselves.

“I would say the biggest thing for Clee this season is to score more goals and I know that sounds simplistic but we had enough chances to win several games last season.

“With a little bit more belief, we are certainly not far away from being higher up the table.”

Clee begin their season on August 24 at home to Wellington Amateurs Development.