TOWN supporters scoffed as manager Ian Greaves insisted: "We are good enough to win promotion."
But by the end of the Second Division campaign, they were singing a different tune.
"The Town are going up" rang around Leeds Road as skipper Jimmy Nicholson and his teammates paraded the title trophy, won by seven points from nearest rivals Blackpool.
Super-fit Town had swept to promotion, 14 years after losing their top-flight status, winning 24 of their 42 games and losing just six.
Yet going into the opening pre-season friendly at Third Division Southport, the boss was bemoaning the fans who were playing down any chance of success.
"I get the impression some people are disgruntled because we have not made a lot of new signings," said Greaves, who had brought in just two new faces - young Bradford Park Avenue goalkeeper David Lawson and Leicester City Reserve striker Brian Greenhalgh.
"But I would appeal to those people to give the existing players a chance.
"I don't make a habit of boasting, but I honestly feel we have an assembly of players on our books who could win us promotion."
The season before, Town had managed only four away wins in finishing sixth.
That's why Greaves had decided to play all the friendlies on opposition territory, with the trip to Southport to be followed by a three-match tour of Holland.
"We're working on a system which will make us far more positive away," explained Greaves.
"Also the lads learned a lot of lessons last season and fans will find them more mature."
On fitness levels, Greaves reported: "The way the players have looked after themselves over the lay-off is a first-rate example of the dedication we are achieving within the club.
"In no instance has a player put on more than 3lb in weight, and that's encouraging."
Town were 2-0 winners at Southport, with goals from their two Smiths, Steve and Dave.
In a competitive work-out watched by 1,727 at Haig Avenue, Greaves gave run-outs to 19 different players, four more than he was to field during a League campaign in which seven players were ever presents: goalkeeper Terry Poole, Dennis Clarke, Geoff Hutt, Jimmy Nicholson, Roy Ellam, Frank Worthington and Jimmy McGill.
