The excitement, anticipation, and preparedness is tangible at the AGL Arena today ahead of Felixstowe and Walton United's Isthmian League promotion challenge this coming season

It all starts with a mouth-watering, sell-out, pre-season friendly with Ipswich Town at the AGL Arena on Saturday, kick off 1pm, and manager Stuart Boardley admits he is thrilled at the prospect of pitting his wits against his old cub, and seeing up close how Kieran McKenna operates.

The Blues are expected to bring a strong first team players, with a large of number of substitutes being used on both, which will allow fans a chance to see even more of their favourites.

Felixstowe started their pre-season early to ensure they would be competitive and fit in with Ipswich's schedule.

"This will be a fantastic day for our club," said Boardley who was at Portman Road as a youth and reserve team player until he signed to Torquay in 20024. "We have worked hard and the players are really looking forward to it.

"It is good to see Ipswich connecting with the community and engaging with local clubs like ours once more.

"It has been a long time coming as I feel there was a disconnect for about 10 year, but the culture has changed back and it is very much a community club once more.

"This means a lot to us and I want to thank Kieron, Mark Ashton and everyone behind the scenes for making it happen.

"Everyone at Felixstowe is very thankful. It will do a lot for us reputationally and financially."

After the crushing disappointment of missing on promotion from the Isthmian Premier North for a second successive season, Boardley was seriously considering his future.

"When you are ambitious and miss out, it can be hard on yourself and the team

"Our expectations at the club are so high, missing out on that elusive promotion was a massive disappoint," Boardley admitted. "But to temper that, if you look where the club was when we came in, almost bottom, you have to put it into perspective. We have come along way and we have the ambition to get promotion."

Last game of season disappointment for Seasiders (Picture: Nub News)

After a few days to clear his head and the re-appointment of Tony Barnes as chairman, Boardley, and trusted assistant Andy Crump, confirmed they would stay at the helm and renew the Seasiders' bid for promotion with fresh vigour.

"There was a combination of factors in the decision to stay," said Boardley. "The clear ambition of the club to reach Step Three, and that is our target.

"Tony Barnes coming back as chairman was big reason in me staying. He brought me to the cub in the first place along with Andy.

"We get on very well, professionally and personally and we work very well together."

As a club, Felixstowe has already demonstrated during the short summer break, its determination to be ready for any eventual promotion, with a huge amount of work put in ground improvements.

On the pitch, Boardley and Crump's commitment has seen a vast majority of the players that missed out on a consecutive play-off set on the last day of the season, being retained.

In addition Boardley has brought in Jack Ainsley and Tom Bullard from Stowmarket along with Josh Mayhew from promotion winning AFC Sudbury.

Josh Hitter among retained Seasiders (Picture: Stefan Peck)

The football staff has also been bolstered with Kevin O'Donnell coming in as director football, and Danny Potter as goalkeeping coach.

Boardley is confident he already has a strong squad to be able to tweak to become strong enough for the fresh promotion bid.

He said: Our retention rate has been excellent. We know that once players come to Felixstowe they want to stay because it is great place to play football.

"It is an exciting time to play football at Felixstowe."

While there is nothing imminent Boardley has his eye on couple of possible new signings, especially at potential recruits from Ipswich Town and Colchester United, where he has excellent contacts.

Saturday's friendly with Ipswich is already a 2,350 capacity sell out. There will be fanzone, including bar and barbecue at the Colneis Road side of he AGL Arena.

Did you know about this special Felixstowe and Ipswich Town connection?