Woodford Town start their Essex Senior League campaign at Cockfosters followed by what will be a historic and emotional return to the borough on Wednesday when they entertain Hoddesdon Town.

The eagerly awaited match at Ashton Playing Field will see Woodford play in their home town for the first time in 35 years and fittingly at a venue only a stone's throw from their legendary original ground in Snakes Lanes.

The Woods will enjoy regular home games at ‘Ashton’s’ which has seen a £1.6 million refit to bring it up to senior football and Grade A athletics standards.

Cockfosters proved a hard nut to crack last season but Woodford have had very recent history against Hoddesdon having lost 3-0 to the Hertfordshire team in the Len Cordell Plate Final during the recommencement of football after lockdown only six weeks ago.

Woodford have regrouped since and several impressive pre-season performances will see them go into the game with higher confidence than last season's lowly league standing would suggest.

Joint-manager Dee Safer was pleased with his side’s progress in recent weeks and is looking forward to the challenge ahead.

"We can start this season with a clean start away from what happened last term," said Safer.

"Myself and Julian (Charles, joint manager) have worked hard to not only bring fresh faces in but also players with the attributes to execute the type of football we want to play to consolidate and improve our standing in the ESL."

Club chairman Tony Scott was equally optimistic about the season and said he couldn’t wait to see fans coming through the turnstiles’ despite the obstacles the club have had to overcome to make their homecoming a reality.

Ilford Recorder: Work has continued at Ashton Playing Fields ahead of Woodford Town's return (Pic: Neil Day)Work has continued at Ashton Playing Fields ahead of Woodford Town's return (Pic: Neil Day) (Image: Archant)

Speaking from the club's gleaming new hospitality suite Woodford-born and bred Scott added: "It’s been frustrating at times, mainly because of delays due to Covid, but very pleasing how things have come together in a reasonably short space of time and we’re all delighted to finally get so close to our first game back.

"There’s been a lot of hard work to get where we are and I literally can’t wait to see fans coming through the turnstiles and experiencing the positive experience we aim to give them, it should be a very exciting time."