Rob Heys insists Stanley will be pitch perfect for the new season – both on and off the field.

Chief executive Heys has confirmed that the club’s new playing surface will be fit to host the League Two opener against Aldershot tomorrow and withstand a season’s rigours.

And he is hoping that Stanley’s drive towards financial stability will allow boss John Coleman a little more freedom in the transfer market.

Coleman added Sean Hessey and Charlie Barnett to his squad earlier this week following the

lifting of a transfer embargo, imposed by the Football League because Stanley had filed their accounts late.

But while the embargo has been one concern for Stanley over the close season, the other has been the Crown Ground’s new pitch.

Outgoing chairman Ilyas Khan paid £70,000 to have the playing surface flattened and relaid during the summer after eight first-team games were postponed last season, mainly due to waterlogging problems in one penalty area.

Stanley had to call off a home friendly against Burnley last month because the pitch was not ready, but the club are happy that it is now okay.

Heys said: "There are one or two areas that could do with a little bit more time for us to be completely happy with it.

"But the surface is a massive improvement on the ones of previous years. It’s by far the best surface we’ve had at the Crown Ground.

"We’ve taken all the undulations out and had a sprinkler system put in. The investment has definitely been worth it."

Stanley are hoping that the new improved surface will be just the platform the team need to play the attractive passing football encouraged by boss Coleman and his assistant Jimmy Bell.

The additions for former Macclesfield centre-back Hessey, 31, and ex-Tranmere midfielder Barnett, 21, have increased Coleman’s options ahead of the big kick off.

"We’ve made quite a few new signings," said the Stanley boss. "The squad is starting to take shape now. We’re quite happy with the way things are looking.

"A lot of people were talking about the transfer embargo over the summer, but that kind of thing is out of my hands.

"All we can do as a management team is speak to players about getting them to come here, and then concentrate on the coaching side."

Coleman is still looking to add a striker to his squad, having lost last season’s front three of Billy Kee, Michael Symes and Bobby Grant over the summer.

Former Bradford youngster Rory Boulding has recovered from a knock and is ready to lead the line against Aldershot tomorrow.

But ex-Macclesfield striker Craig Lindfield is still struggling with an ankle problem.

"Every game we play this season is going to be tough," Coleman added. "But we’ll make it tough for them too. It would be foolish to start mouthing off about what we’re going to do this season, but I would hope to build on what we did last year.

"We did very well for a large part of last season, and then just fell away a bit towards the end. If we can play as well as we did last season, then there are no limits to what we can achieve."

To that end, Heys is hopeful that Coleman will get a little extra support in the transfer market.

The Stanley chief executive said: "We are looking at breaking even this season, or perhaps even making a small profit, and that doesn’t include any TV or prize money that comes in. If we do get extra money in, then it would be nice if we could give John a little to spend on players."

Stanley captain Andrew Procter, meanwhile, is in the frame to win the MBNA North West Footballer of the Year award.

Procter is up against one player from each North West club in the Premier and Football Leagues for the award, which is voted for by fans.

The winner will be revealed at a ceremony at Lancashire Cricket Club’s Old Trafford HQ on October 11. To vote, visit www.nwfootballawards.co.uk.