THERE'S a new feeling at Tamworth FC ahead of the 2019 Premier League season.
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The side will be without five of its 2018 premiership-winning players for their 2019 season-opening clash against East Armidale on Saturday.
Stalwarts such as Matt Gardner and Hamish McGarvey headline the list of outs, while the club will welcome a new goal-keeper in the form of Oxley Vale-Attunga veteran Sam Coates.
The club was almost without another vital figure, with head coach Greg Bartlett confirming to the Leader he had contemplated retiring from the coaching ranks.
"To be honest, I did have a bit of a think about it [retiring]," Bartlett said.
"Part of me thought, 'we've gone through the season undefeated and won a premiership, there's nothing left to prove'.
"But another part of me thought, 'we have to prove it wasn't a fluke, go around again'.
"So I listened to the part of me that wanted to continue and I am really glad I did because I think it is going to be another great season."
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Tamworth FC has seen mixed results during it's pre-season preparations, including a first-round FFA Cup loss to South Armidale and a Johnson Cup grand-final loss to Oxley Vale-Attunga.
"I think we are set for a far tighter competition this season compared to last season," Bartlett said.
"We were never overly confident before our games last season and we will look to continue that this season.
"Some people believed we looked ahead but I can promise you we just looked at the opponent in front of us each week and we will continue to do that this season."
Despite the club registering an undefeated season in 2018, Bartlett said he "wasn't worried" about continuing the winning streak.
"Mate, that is all in the past," he said.
"It's history that is for other people to look back on, not us. We are firmly focused on looking ahead to the opponent in front of us each week and allowing others to look back on 2018."
Bartlett said his side would play a similar brand of football in 2019, despite the new players in the ranks.
"I really don't think we have changed too much," he said. "If we work together as a team and do what we have been working on, I'm sure we will be competitive."
In the opening round's other action, North Companions will have a tough assignment as they travel to Armidale to take on last year's grand finalists the Demon Knights.
Meanwhile, South Armidale and North Armidale will meet in a cross-town derby.
Oxley Vale- Attunga has the bye.
