Truro City boss John Askey says he is confident the club can be "amongst it" as they try to bounce straight back to the top flight of non-league football.
The 61-year-old helped the Tinners win the National League South title in 2024-2025 to become the first Cornish club to play in the National League.
They turned professional for the first time in 2025-2026, but could not avoid being relegated straight back down.
Truro remain unbeaten this season, taking four points from their opening two National League South matches, and Askey accepts keeping up the challenge is getting increasingly tougher.
"We're hoping we're going to be competing at the right end of the table," Askey told BBC Radio Devon. "There are teams throwing big money at it - like Chelmsford, and the likes of Dagenham who we've got next week.
"One of those might break away, but I don't think there's too much difference between any of the teams again, so we just have to make sure we're in amongst it.
"I think the fitness is better this year. Last season was the first time we'd gone full-time, and it takes a while for everyone to get up to speed."
The fixture computer has not been too kind to the Tinners, beginning with last season's play-off side Maidenhead United on the opening day, followed by big- spending Chelmsford.
However, Askey's side secured four points from the two fixtures as the club looks to build on and off-pitch momentum in their third season at the new Truro City stadium.
They attracted more than 1700 fans to the Maidenhead victory, with another 1500 coming to see them beat Southampton Under-21s in the National League Cup.
"The start of our fixtures - on paper - it looks like a tough start with the teams that we are playing," said Askey.
"It was important that we got back to winning ways pre-season, and then started the campaign bright.
"There's a real appetite, and I think if we can be successful this season, the crowds will go up. The more people that know where the ground is, that wasn't the case when it was built.
"We're obviously trying to attract younger fans with our football in the community going into schools and promoting the club, helping it to grow."
Askey is embarking on his third season with Truro, and the former Macclesfield player says his own appetite is also as big as ever.
"To be in football for as long as I have, you have to have a real desire to do what you're doing," he said.
"I feel Truro is a special football club, unique, and I'm hoping one day the club does get into the Football League.
"It'll be a massive task to do that because of the location, but I've really enjoyed it, and I hope my association with the club continues for some while yet."
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