SUPER confident Giants chairman Ken Davy believes new coach Jon Sharp is ready to take his club up to the next level.
Huddersfield enter the Super League IX arena for the first time on Sunday when they entertain Castleford Tigers (3.00) in a mouth-watering McAlpine opener to 2004.
It will be Sharp's first competitive game in charge of the Giants since taking over from Tony Smith at the end of last season.
Smith left to join the Leeds Rhinos after guiding the Giants to their most successful Super League season, with victories over Wigan, Leeds and St Helens achieved as high spots of a successful season.
But Mr Davy is convinced former St Helens assistant Sharp is the ideal man to make his club even stronger.
"I really am excited about the new season," he said today.
"We've clearly strengthened the squad from last season when we achieved our most successful campaign for 40 years, and in Jon Sharp I believe we have the best man to make us even more successful.
"He has done a superb job during the off-season and the increased professionalism he has brought to the Giants is really impressive.
"As a club, we have already moved forward over the last three years and I feel that we have now moved on a further level.
"Jon will have under his command a top-quality squad which includes many local heroes in the likes of Darren Fleary, Darren Turner, Marcus St Hilaire, Paul Reilly and Eorl Crabtree and some of the game's major strike players in Brandon Costin and Stanley Gene.
"We have also recruited some superb new signings who have already shown in our pre-season games that they will add an extra dimension to the squad.
"It would be silly to make any rash predictions, but I really am extremely confident we can improve on last year's showing."
Besides looking for a further improvement on the playing field, Mr Davy is also looking for the boost of better crowd figures down at the McAlpine.
Last season, the Giants averaged 4,700, and the ambitious Giants chairman admits he would be greatly disappointed if that figure were not increased, particularly if the side continues to impress.
"We won the majority of our home games last season and it would obviously be terrific to see the name `Fortress McAlpine' re-inforced," he added.
"I think we all know from last year that the atmosphere was electric, and the more people who come along and share in it, the greater our potential success.
"There's no question the atmosphere and support of the fans gives a tremendous boost to the players. And, quite frankly, it's a mouth-watering prospect for all fans knowing they can watch world-class rugby league on their doorstep.
"Once again we will be doing battle against such famous names as Leeds, Wigan, St Helens and, of course, there's also the newly-crowned world champions Bradford Bulls.
"What a fantastic prospect it is for all sports fans in our area.
"We do obviously hope supporters of all generations come and watch us, but we are still very keen to build on our excellent junior supporter base.
"There's still time to buy juniors season tickets which are priced at £30 and cover all of the Giants' 28 Super League matches, home and away.
"That offers fantastic value, but I'm sure whoever watches the Giants and for whatever price they will receive value for money.
"The prospects for this season really are very exciting."
