Iain McMillan is praying the only way is up for Saltcoats Victoria after the club survived 18 months without gate money.
The Ayrshire minnows returned to action earlier this month after a self-imposed year's hiatus from football due to the impact of Covid-19.
A pre-season friendly against Troon Under-19s on June 12 marked their first game at their home ground Campbell Park since December 2019.
It's been a long road back for the North Ayrshire outfit, but boss McMillan is hoping the club can regain lost momentum.
He said: "Everyone at the club was pulling together to improve things before football stopped.
"We had an enthusiastic new committee and the best of intentions but all the good progress we made was stopped in its tracks by Covid.
"We lost that momentum and with no fans allowed in the ground, the committee were unable to drive things forward.
"It was an impossible situation and it was in the club's best interests to sit out the West of Scotland League last year.
"It's hard to believe but we hadn't taken any gate money since December 2019 until we played Troon and even then we were only asking fans to make a donation.
"Hopefully now we can get things going again without too many interruptions, but obviously the priority is that everyone stays safe.
"It's going to be a really challenging league but that's what you want. I'm excited."
McMillan reckons his players deserve enormous credit for sticking by the club through a difficult period.
He added: "Most of our boys stayed with us, we only had three go out on loan last year.
"The lads were happy to train every Saturday and we played training games which was really good because it gave us a chance to work on things.
"The vast majority were still signed for the start of this season and I have to say their attitude has been first class.
"They have been loyal and supportive and it's been really refreshing to see."
McMillan has managed to bolster his squad with the addition of three new faces.
Defender Davie Wilson, who was part of McMillan and Stevie Wilson's title-winning Irvine Vics side in 2014, has signed on for the season.
Former Ardrossan Winton Rovers defender Andy Irvine and Jamie Allan are also on board.
McMillan added: "We're just looking for that steady improvement. I think the squad is in a better place than it was a year ago.
"Now we're just all looking forward to getting going with hopefully no stoppages."
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