BASINGSTOKE RFC head coach Will Croker is a man with a mission – to get ’Stoke back to the National Leagues at the first attempt.

Croker is the new man in charge at the club after taking over from his brother, James Croker, in the summer, and he will be eager to emulate his sibling, who guided ’Stoke to promotion in 2013, only for them to be relegated 12 months later.

’Stoke’s first test of the new London One South campaign will be a visit from Dover on Saturday in a game that gets under way at 3pm.

Croker is keen to see his side start with a victory and said: “We want to make our home ground a fortress, where teams do not want to come and play.

“We are hoping for big crowd as around two-thirds of team are from Basingstoke. It would be nice for the town to get behind the team.”

Dover finished ninth in the table last season, but after tough pre-season games against East Grinstead and Old Elthamians, Croker feels his side are ready for action.

“I was very pleased with both games and the score did not matter,” he said. “East Grinstead are expect to win the league we were in last year and Old Elthamians are in National Two and have recruited heavily over the summer.

“After the first 40 minutes against Old Elthamians, we had only conceded three scores, so this bodes well against a side at their level.”

Croker added: “My players should take the confidence about their performance and now I have the hard job of picking just 18 for the first game of the season.”

“We are looking to have at least two good players in every position and this is the case at the moment. In the last two years, we have used 48 and 42 players, so we know we need a big squad.”

Two players who will miss the opening home clash against Dover are captain Freddie Gleadowe and Steve Osborne due to torn hamstrings.

However, two names that will be on the team-sheet are new summer signings from Bournemouth, Gavin Hart and Ben Stewart.

Number 8 Hart is also the forwards coach, while Kiwi Stewart, a centre, is also the backs coach.

Croker said: “Gavin Hart and Ben Stewart are two more experienced heads and they have impressed me with what they bring to the club.”

Looking at ’Stoke’s their first opponents on the opening day of the season, Croker said: “They have a big pack and play an aggressive and direct style of rugby, which we will have to stop.

“I am sure we can do this, having watched us play in pre-season.”