New Crawley captain Peter Fear believes he's about to embark on a second successive Dr Martens League title-winning campaign.

The former Wimbledon and Oxford midfielder might not be able to lead his new club out in tomorrow's home opener against Hednesford because of an ankle injury.

But the 28-year-old, who made 88 appearances for the Dons in their Premiership glory years, is relishing the prospect of Reds emulating what he helped Kettering achieve last season.

The Poppies are back in the Conference after pipping Tamworth for the title on the last day of the season. Crawley, who led the table for much of the season, finished fourth. But Fear is one of nine new signings at Broadfield Stadium and he reckons Billy Smith's new look squad can finally make the club's Conference dreams come true.

Fear said: "In the first two friendlies, when we lost to Brighton and Brentford, I thought we might struggle, but against the Conference sides we've played we've done well and shown we should have nothing to fear.

"Billy seems to have an eye for a player and has got some top quality in. Everything is in place at Crawley to get promotion and I'm really looking forward to the challenge."

Kettering offered Fear a new two-year contract, but he was fed up with making a 220-mile round trip three times a week and travelling to a lot of away games on his own.

Based a few doors away from his manager in Sutton, he's now looking forward to spending less time behind the wheel and more driving forward Reds' promotion challenge in partnership with another newcomer, Neil Le Bihan, in the centre of midfield.

"Kettering were as good as gold and I wouldn't say a bad thing about them," added Fear. "But they seem to be settling for mid-table this season and I want to play for a club which is looking to challenge for honours.

"I didn't have a clue about the Dr Martens League until last season and some of the places were a bit of a culture shock, but I know what to expect now and I really think we can be up there again."

As expected, striker Ben Abbey completed his move to Woking after scoring in Monday's friendly against Chelsea. Dave Stevens and Nik McDonnell are Smith's likely front pairing tomorrow although he won't reveal his line-up until just before kick-off.

Midfielder Jason McCoy and striker Marlon Patterson have both agreed one-year deals while defender Lee Doherty has signed dual registration with Tooting and Mitcham and is expected to play for the Ryman Leaguers tomorrow.

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