The amber and blacks' UniBond Premier campaign kicks off at York Street tonight (KO 7.45pm) when Ossett Town are the visitors.

And Clarke – back for his second spell at United – is telling the terrace faithful they can be the difference between a good season and a great season.

"The fans have always been really important here," said Clarke, who previously turned out for the Pilgrims in the Football League.

"When they get behind the team it makes a difference. When I came back here last season (as a Worcester City player) there was a crowd of 1,500 for a mid-table match.

"They can definitely make the difference when they get behind you."
And the Pilgrims fans may be in fuller voice than usual after being granted a return to the Town End.

The behind-goal terraced stand has been used for away fans for the past seven years as a segregated end was needed as the club climbed the footballing ladder.

Now the home fans have been permitted its use once again.

Clarke rejoined the Pilgrims in the summer and has quickly forged a strong central defensive partnership with Matt Bloomer.

And with the likes of Wes Parker, Ollie Ryan and David Farrell also arriving in the close season, Clarke believes York Street still has very much the feel of a Blue Square North outfit.

"Boston finished mid-table last season and there's not a lot of difference here this year," he added.

"It doesn't feel any different. The squad's strong and the pitch is still great.

The team spirit's great and there's competition for places which is healthy for everyone."

After the Pilgrims' summer demotion, Clarke reckons the players are all desperate to bounce straight back up.

"Everyone's just concentrating on promotion," he added.

"We were all devastated at what happened. But that doesn't matter now – we're all looking in the right direction.

"If we play as we have been doing then there shouldn't be any issues."

United are kicking off the campaign five days later than the rest of the league – due to a problem with weekend opponents Nantwich's pitch – but hope for a winning start against Ossett, who drew 1-1 at home to Hednesford on Saturday.

"If we don't look at it like we want to go up and be positive then it's a waste of time playing football," added manager Tommy Taylor, banging the promotion drum.

United host Ashton United on Saturday (KO 3pm).