TIPTREE Jobserve have high hopes after bagging a place in the Essex Senior League next season.

The club’s first team will ply their trade in the fifth tier of non-league football when the new campaign gets underway in August.

And Gary Monti, who has taken over as manager, says he will not settle for just trying to stave off relegation.

Monti said: “We have got so many local lads and we are looking to get promoted.

“We have five different teams at Tiptree Jobserve.

“One is in the Essex Senior League, while the second team will be in Essex & Suffolk Border League Division One.

“The reserves will be in Essex & Suffolk Border League Division Three as well.

“We also have two Sunday teams and we are looking to win promotion with all three of our Saturday teams.

“We have about 80 players and so many of them are really good.

“All of the lads are local - most of them are from the Tiptree area and the one who lives furthest away is in Chelmsford.

“Our aim is to become the best club in the area.”

And Monti, who will be assisted by Richard Chapman and John Thackray in the dugout, has taken over at Tiptree Jobserve following an extensive spell with neighbours Heybridge Swifts.

“I have come here after spending 10 years at Heybridge Swifts,” added Monti.

“I was in charge of the reserves and because of the gap between the first team and the reserves, Heybridge decided to get rid of the reserve team.

“As a result, we have taken the reserves’ place in the Essex Senior League.

“Tiptree Jobserve’s first team has moved up two divisions and although it is a big jump, I’m confident we have the players to challenge for promotion.”

Tiptree Jobserve’s first team will get their pre-season schedule underway by taking on Wivenhoe Town in a friendly.

The clash is set to take place on Wednesday at Florence Park.