Assistant boss Erkan Okay reckons Soham Town Rangers are in a good place as they count down to the new campaign.

The Greens have enjoyed a productive summer on and off the pitch ahead of their Bostik North Division curtain-raiser at Heybridge Swifts on August 11.

Okay and boss Robbie Mason successfully retained the vast majority of their playing squad from last season and have overseen an excellent pre-season programme in which Soham are unbeaten.

They have won five of their six friendly outings with victories coming against higher-level sides St Ives Town and Lowestoft, and lower-level outfits Chatteris Town, Downham Town and Histon.

They were also involved in a 2-2 draw at St Neots, who play a league above Rangers, last Saturday.

“We’re really pleased with how the summer has gone in terms of performances, results and fitness levels,” said Okay.

“Being able to retain the majority of our squad has been a big factor in it. The togetherness and spirit is already in place and the two new signings have also fitted in really well.

“We already have an identity in the way we play and we’re looking like a decent footballing side, but we also have lads who will get stuck in when required.

“Last summer myself and ‘Mase’ had to build a squad from nothing while being involved in management for the first time.

“We’ve developed as a management team and the lads have also progressed as players from having regular football.

“We’re not in a rush to bring any more players in. We don’t have the finances available to us and we don’t really need to make any additions either.”

Rangers conceded twice in the first half at St Neots last Saturday, but then struck twice in the space of three minutes early in the second half through Sam Mulready and Jon Kaye to claw themselves level.

Captain Lewis Endacott and goalscorer Kaye both put pen to paper following that draw.

Soham then triumphed 2-1 at Histon last night (Tuesday) thanks to a strike from new recruit Manuel Ramirez and an own goal when the home keeper spilled a Joe Carden cross into his net.

They complete their pre-season programme at fellow Step 4 side Peterborough Sports this Saturday.