Tamworth FC coach Greg Bartlett believes his side will improve in 2018

“I think it was a year we let slip to be honest,” Bartlett said.

“We were good enough. I didn't fear any of the other teams in the competition.”

Tamworth FC were knocked out of the Northern Inland Premier League first grade competition when they went down to eventual premiers North Companions in the semi-finals.

Bartlett believed his side had the potential to go all the way last year and an off day cost Tamworth FC.

“We didn’t perform to the best of our ability,” he said.

“I said before the game [against North Companions], whoever won would probably go on to win the competition.

“It probably put an exclamation mark on our season. That we created so many chances all year and didn't finish a lot of them.

“We had enough chances to win that game.

“But we have to move forward now and I think our squad will be better than last year.”

Bartlett’s confidence comes from Tamworth FC’s retention of players – the coach said he wasn’t aware of any losses – coupled with a couple new signings.

Chris Hughes – who last played for Tamworth FC in 2015 – will return to the club after being transferred back to Tamworth with his job.

Bartlett was stoked to have the midfielder back in the fold.

“He’s a very good player,” Bartlett said of Hughes.

“He played when we won reserve grade a couple of years ago and played a fair bit of first grade, too.”

Hughes isn’t the only new player to the squad, though.

While Bartlett didn’t mention the player’s name, he did have this to say.

“He’ll be really important to what we do,” Bartlett said.

Bartlett said numbers had been good at pre-season training and the players were keen as they prepare for their first matches of the year.

Tamworth FC will take on Armidale City Westside in the FFA Cup – a date and venue is still to be confirmed – while the side is also heading to Nambucca Heads in March for the Challenge Cup.

Wests Entertainment Group has also come on as sponsor for Tamworth FC.