Steve McKimm expects this season to be his hardest since being appointed Tonbridge manager in 2014.

Angels, who finished sixth in the Bostik Premier last season, reached the play-offs the year before and are aiming for the top-five again.

But they’ll have their work cut in a division which looks set to be more competitive in 2017/18 than ever before.

Title favourites Billericay have a weekly playing budget reported to be well in excess of £30,000 and this week they added former Liverpool winger Jermaine Pennant to a squad full of big names.

Leatherhead, under new boss Sammy Moore, are also having a go, while Steve Watt has spent the summer overhauling Margate’s squad.

McKimm, who also expects Dulwich and Dorking to be strong, is realistic about the task ahead.

He said: “This is probably going to be the toughest league in terms of the four seasons I’ve been here. There are a number of teams that can be successful.

“Billericay are the standout ones but it’s not going to be easy for them with Dulwich about. A number of teams are going to be in with a shout of that top five.

“Our job is made equally as hard but we’re looking to get as many points as we can until Christmas, as we’ve always done, and see if we can kick on after that.

“I don’t believe money is the answer to get you promotion. It helps, don’t get me wrong, because you can have the pick of players but I believe it’s about the squad that’s together and tight."

The season starts on Saturday when Angels host Hendon.

McKimm said: “They stayed up last season, stayed up the season before and the season before that, they took Maidstone to the last couple of games.

“They’ll be more stable this year. They’ve got a great forward line now, pace, power, goals in them, so it’s going to be tough.”

Alex Akrofi (hamstring) should feature but Damian Scannell is an injury doubt while Andre McCollin begins a two-match suspension which also rules him out of Tuesday’s trip to Margate.