SEAN Marks believes Braintree Town now have the strongest squad that they’ve had for a number of years.

The experienced striker is one of just a handful of players still at the club who came up with them from the Conference South and into the top flight of non-league football in 2011 and is looking forward to the new campaign kicking off at Chester today.

It will be the start of a new era at the club under the managerial reign of Danny Cowley.

Cowley has been busy putting his own stamp on the team since taking over as boss at the end of last season and Marks has been impressed by what he has seen.

The 29-year-old said: “It’s new, but the players have bought into it.

“Watch some games and you’ll see that the boys are a lot fitter than last year.

“There is a new way of playing, with a high tempo and pressing a lot more, which is good.

“Because of the success we’ve had in the past, I think it could have been difficult to change and to get the boys to buy into it but you need someone to be enthusiastic and to guide you.

“As long as you have a good attitude you’ll be fine – we do have that because that’s how we’ve found success in the last few seasons and we’ll do well.

“Look across the squad and I think it’s one of the strongest that we’ve had for a while.

“The ethos is in there and it’s just about getting people to buy into it, which I think has happened.”