WITH just days to the start of the new season, manager Peter Jackson has praised the support he has received from Town owner Ken Davy and the board.

Jackson has brought in striker Junior Mendes from Mansfield and midfielder Chris Brandon from Chesterfield and still has money in the pot to strengthen his Coca-Cola League I squad.

Injuries and suspensions will determine how soon Jackson feels he needs to spend again, but he's confident of full backing from the directors as he plots to build on promotion and over £1m worth of season-ticket sales.

"I can't speak highly enough of Ken Davy and the board - they have been excellent right from Day One," said Jackson, who wraps up pre-season by taking the Reserves to Guiseley tonight (7.30).

"No-one quite knew what to expect 12 months ago when the club was rescued at the last minute and things were changing day by day, but Ken pushed the boat out to make sure I brought in the players I felt I needed and, in the end, it paid off handsomely with promotion back to this division at the first attempt.

"Having made more money available back then than was originally in the plan, I'm happy about the budget available to take things forward and there is some left in case we need to bring other players in as the season gets going.

"It's a tremendous credit to Ken, our chief executive Andrew Watson and to the rest of the board, because they've all given it 100% right from the outset and they are just as keen as me to keep the momentum going."

Jackson joined Town's staff and players at Saturday's Blue concert at the newly re-named Galpharm Stadium.

Play-off winning goalkeeper Paul Rachubka was among them for the first time since the Cardiff play-off final win over Mansfield.

"I thoroughly enjoyed it and we got a tremendous reception when we went up on the stage with the play-off trophy," said Jackson.

"From my point of view, I would just like to thank all the thousands who supported the concert because what is good for the stadium is good for Town and the Giants as well.

"The sponsorship from Galpharm is wonderful as well.

"I've been friends with Graham Leslie ever since I signed for the club as a player 14 years ago and it's tremendous someone who drove the project through now has the name of his company on the stadium."