The town's newly rebranded football club is gearing up for the new season having lost only two of its eight pre-season games.

Less than a year ago Epping FC was struggling to pay is league dues and was forced to cancel a match due to a lack of players.

Now they are two weeks away from starting a new campaign with the team paid up for the next year and with a new manager, new sponsors and a host of new players.

Manager Billy Cove has joined the club from Essex Senior League outfit Ilford, and with him come a number of players who have all bought into the long-term plans of new Epping Town chairman Chris Ottaway.

Off the pitch, the club has secured kit sponsorship deals with VIP Grooming Lounge in Epping High Street, which is sponsoring the club's home strip, and Richard Pryor Opticians in Epping High Street which is sponsoring the away kit.

The club has also teamed up with The Theydon Oak pub in Coopersale Street, Epping and Epping's Tesco store.

On the pitch, the club has lost just two of its eight pre-season friendlies which have included fixtures against club's six leagues higher than Epping.

The club has already secured its first silverware of the 2018-19 campaign with a 3-2 victory against Clapton in a special invitation match for the Walter Tull Cup,a match hosted each year by the east London club to commemorate one of the first black footballers to play English league football.

Mr Cove said: "It’s been a very long pre-season and we are all raring to go now.

"I am glad we chose the type of opposition we did for our friendly games because I have learned a lot about our players.

"When I was first appointed as manager I promised the chairman and the committee that I would bring some silverware to the club.

"We have already won one trophy and I am expecting this squad to win a lot more.

"The council have got behind us by making some much needed improvements at Stonards Hill, which we are very grateful for. It would be amazing if the local community got behind us too and came to support us and joined us on this journey of getting Epping Town FC back on the non-league football map.

"I am honoured to be at the club, It’s going to be one hell of a ride."

Club chairman Chris Ottaway said: "We are excited about our new season. I am satisfied with the club's new infrastructure - both on the field and behind the scenes.

"We have brought in some commercial backing and we are very fortunate to have Billy Cove as manager.

"Our pre-season has gone well with good results against quality opposition. But that is pre-season. We now have to perform in all departments and create success which, in turn, will increase attendances and make us more commercially viable.

"I have no doubt that Billy and the boys will deliver and I am looking forward to our journey."

Epping FC's first league match is on Saturday, September 8 when they face Dagenham United.

The club has initially been allocated away fixtures while refurbishment work is carried out by Epping Town Council on the changing facilities at the Jack Silley Pavilion at the Stonards Hill recreation ground in Epping.