Cheltenham captain Liam Walker is looking to get the new league campaign off to a winning start after finishing 2023 with a flourish.

They won their last four Premier 2 Glos/Wilts games in the West of England Premier League last season and Walker is certainly in upbeat mood as they prepare to host Goatacre on Saturday.

That run of form towards the back end of last season saw them finish fourth in the 10-strong division and Walker, a seam bowler, is hoping to improve on that this time around.

“The aim is always the same, we’re hoping to win the league,” said Walker.

“Last season was one of highs and lows. For much of the season we didn’t have the balance of the side quite right but we got it right at the end.

“We’re hoping to carry the momentum that we built up at the end of last season into this season.”

Walker said the plan is to play with three seamers and two spinners – off-spinner Hassam Dahar is expected to get an extended run in the side - and he continued: “There’s no shortage of ability.

“Maybe last season we picked one or two too many bowlers - we’ve got so many good bowlers - but we want to make sure this season that players are playing in their right positions.”

New signing Dexter Purser is expected to open the batting with former captain Nick Evans set to go in at three.

“We’ve got a hugely competitive squad and a hugely ambitious squad,” said Walker, who is 28 today.

“We’ve got it all, it’s just about putting it all together.”

Walker will be crucial in helping the team realise their potential, of course, and he’s looking forward to his second season as skipper.

The previous campaign obviously came with its challenges but Walker feels he has learned a lot and is certainly ready to go again.

“The transition from player and mate to being captain isn’t easy,” admitted Walker.

“But I feel settled into the role now, I feel much more at ease.

“It’s a really talented group and we’re really close but you have to be able to have the tough conversations with players.

“That started to happen towards the end of last season, you’ve got to set clear objectives.

“If we get the processes right, I’d hope we’ll be competing for the league come the final third of the season.

“We want to get Cheltenham back to where we feel they belong.”