JOHN Eustace can’t wait for the National North to start after a gruelling pre-season.

The Harriers boss is looking forward to the challenge when he watches his side kick-off the season at Curzon Ashton on Saturday (3pm ko).

It will be the 37-year-old’s first season in the Aggborough hot-seat since retiring as a player last season and making the switch from the pitch to the technical area.

But the steely boss has been unfazed by the leap and grasped the chance to rebuild the team after last season’s relegation with both hands.

He said: “We are looking to getting the season started after six weeks of hard work.

“We’re expecting a tough game and it will be interesting to see how we cope with it.

“I want us to be competitive in every game we play.

“We’ll see how we go but I want us to compete.”

Eustace, who has worked closely with director of coaching Matt Gardiner, impressed supporters at last week's fans’ forum.