It's time to get cracking at Priory Lane.

After a summer basking in the glory of clinching the County League championship and a busy pre-season, Langney Sports take their first steps into the unknown tomorrow.

Spalding make the trip to Sussex for Langney's Dr Martens League eastern division baptism - and newly-appointed skipper Daren Pearce can't wait to lead the side into the challenge.

He said: "It's time to knuckle down and get on with it. We want to establish ourselves at this level and I don't think it's going to be a problem.

"We're not going into this league looking to be also-rans. The boys want to raise the profile of the club within the pyramid and compete with the best of them."

Manager Garry Wilson has been impressed by his team's preparations and said: "I've never met a bunch with better team spirit. There aren't players here because of money but because they want to do well with Langney.

"They fought their way out of the County League because they wanted to play at a higher level. Now they're here, the team want to take it a step further and make a good impression in the eastern division."

Wilson has managed to persuade all his players, apart from Tony Burt (Hastings) and Paul Boxall (Saltdean), to stay at Priory Lane.

He has compensated for the two departures by signing Ben Austin (Eastbourne Town), Nathan Godden (Sidley), Matt Crabb (Eastbourne United), Lee Isaac (Inter Turku) and Clinton More (East Preston).

"We're far stronger this year," said Wilson. "The squad is bigger, giving us more competition for places, and the club is becoming more professional every day."

Pearce, who joined Langney at the start of last season, insists the fans will have a part to play. He believes the Langney following is the best he has experienced and can raise his side to further success.

Pearce said: "We got a couple of crowds around 700 last season and they're a vocal lot. Eastbourne is a big town and I'm sure they'll get behind us again at this level.

"It helps so much and creates a great atmosphere."

Travelling longer distances will be the big difference this season. Spalding will be making the journey from Lincolnshire and on Wednesday evening Wilson's men will be making the trip to Bashley in the New Forest.

Assistant boss Nick Greenwood said: "It will not be until Wednesday that it'll hit us. We'll be setting off mid-afternoon to get there and returning late. That's something we'll need to get used to."

Tomorrow, Langney will be without keeper Dean Lightwood (ankle), Clinton More (suspended) and Steve Willard (suspended), while Matt Allen is rated 50-50 after suffering a thigh strain. Ollie Oxley will deputise in goal.