Boreham Wood chairman Danny Hunter acknowledges his club are favourites for relegation from the National League but insists Wood are relishing the prospect of upsetting the apple cart.

After 67 years of waiting Wood reached their highest peak in May with a 2-1 win over Whitehawk in the National League South Play-Off Final securing their place at the top table of non-league football for the first time ever.

And the part-timers will now go toe-to-toe with the likes of Torquay United, Tranmere Rovers and Cheltenham Town in the re-branded National League - all clubs with recent Football League pedigree.

So Hunter's is not a claim without foundation; they have struggled to complete their ground’s building work for the new season, they have a smaller budget than many of their National League rivals and they have small but passionate fan base.

Speaking to the club's website ahead of Saturday's curtain-raiser at home to FC Halifax Town, Hunter addressed the challenges facing the side ahead of their National League now.

“The last six weeks have been difficult for me for a number of reasons," he stated.

"Firstly, it has been a race against time to complete our pitch, ground works and to finish our front-of-house builds for the season. In fact we won’t finish our front of house works until Thursday night, when the foyer carpets finally get laid," he explained.

“Secondly, I did not manage to attract an Arsenal or Watford first team to Meadow Park for this pre-season and that adds a little pressure to my budget forecasts but these are normal football problems and not something that I cannot overcome.

"I accept we are the new kids on the block and it seems we are everybody’s favourites for relegation. That is ok, we must ensure we use the underdog tag and people’s perceptions of us to our advantage and surprise a few," he said.

And Hunter, who has been Wood chairman for 17 years, has called on Borehamwood residents to come out in force to back their local side as they get ready to pit their wits against the best that non-league football came offer.

He said: “I genuinely believe if the town does get behind us on a regular basis, that we can prove to everyone - including ourselves - that we are worthy of a place at the top table of non league football.

"My worry is if the town does not bother to get behind us then it promises to be a very long, hard season and that could be a big, big problem.

"We’ll no doubt all know a little more come 5pm on Saturday, for now I just hope that the town does not only turn up for Play-Off Finals but gets behind the team from the get go this season and the team in turn gives them performances to be proud of.”