Rommy Boco insists that Accrington Stanley need to come flying out of the blocks this season if they are to try and repeat their success during the last campaign.
The 31-year-old arrived back at Stanley in February for the closing months of last season, and has now signed a new one-year deal with the club.
He was disappointed that the team missed out on promotion, but wants to hit the ground running this time around and right the wrongs from earlier this year.
“Hopefully we can have a good start to the season and put ourselves into a good position early on,” he told the club’s official website.
“We know we could have finished second last season and been promoted but we can’t do anything about that now and have to put it right this season.
“Players have left – that’s what happens when clubs like Accrington do well – but we have signed some good players and we want to go one better than last season.”
Boco is currently in his third spell with Accrington, and insists his fitness is back to where it needs to be after being thrown in at the deep end in February.
“I found last season hard as I left India in June and signed here in February and was straight into playing six or seven games in three weeks,” he said.
“It was really tough for me as I hadn’t played for a while and my fitness was not right. I wasn’t at my best but now I have a full pre-season under my belt so this season should be ideal for me.”
Boco received a nasty injury in the final game for Stanley, when he was caught by the arm of Wimbledon captain Barry Fuller, and he has detailed just how bad it was.
“Basically my bottom row of teeth came off my gums and I had to have two jaw operations,” he said. “One at Blackburn Royal Hospital and one in France – so I missed my summer holidays and spent time recovering. I am ok now though, I won’t need to wear any face protection.”
Stanley get their pre-season campaign underway on Tuesday when they travel to Skelmersdale United. The Reds don’t have any friendlies at home this summer due to the redevelopment work being done on the Wham Stadium.
Accrington will also have trips to Stalybridge Celtic, Barrow and Halifax Town.
