Shrewsbury Town defender James Bolton fired up for the challenge

The 23-year-old was a breakout star as Salop upset the odds before losing 2-1 to Rotherham in May’s League One play-off final at Wembley.

Following a summer of change, with Paul Hurst leaving for Ipswich Town and John Askey taking over as boss, Bolton is hoping for a strong start to the term on which they can build.

When asked what the aim is for the coming campaign, he said: “It’s just to do as well as we can. Obviously it’s going to be hard to recreate what we did last year.

“We’re under no illusions that it’s going to be tough.

"But there’s no reason why we can’t, we’ve got the players.

“It’s just hoping everything goes right and we get a good start, a bit of momentum, like we did last season. Who knows?”

Among the new faces at Town are defender Kieran Kennedy and striker Fejiri Okenabirhie, who have both arrived after spells in non-league – picked up from Macclesfield Town and Dagenham & Redbridge respectively.

Bolton has been offering pointers to them after being in the same position last year – signing from National League side Gateshead.

“At the start, you see some of the lads are struggling with the running and stuff so I just said to them ‘look, that was me last year’,” he added.

“It’s one of those things. You get better, you get used to it – I’m fitter this year than I was last year.”

Meanwhile, assistant boss John Filan was encouraged by the performances of two more new-boys – Charlie Colkett and Josh Laurent – in Wednesday’s 2-1 victory at AFC Telford United.

Colkett, on loan from Chelsea, and Laurent, snapped up from Wigan, started together in central midfield.

“I was pleased they were able to get some minutes,” said Filan.

“For them to get out and play with the lads and get a little bit of understanding is important. I think they both did well.”