JAKE Gould has been there, done it and bought the T-shirt during his time with Brightlingsea Regent.

The long-serving full-back has been an integral part of the club's recent history, helping them navigate their way up the non-league pyramid.

He started playing for his hometown club when they were in the Essex and Suffolk Border League and was a linchpin as they moved through both divisions of the Thurlow Nunn League.

Next up they won the Bostik League division north title and now the R's are embarking on their second season of step three football in the Bostik League premier division, having kicked-off with an outstanding 3-2 victory at Kingstonian on Saturday.

It's been quite an adventure for both club and player - and Gould sees no reason why the journey should stop now. Instead, he wants to take Regent to the "next level".

“You have to aim high," the 26-year-old told the Gazette.

"Otherwise, what’s the point?

“There are ambitious people here and if anyone doesn’t share that ambition, I’m sure they won’t last long.

“It would be amazing to make the next step and this season is an exciting prospect.

“The squad looks a bit different to last year, with some players leaving and others coming in.

“Overall, though, I’d say it’s a lot stronger.

“It was a struggle towards the end of last season, because of injuries and having to play youngsters.

“But we’ve definitely got more depth now - more quality and quantity – and a lot of players who are very good on the ball.

“They’ve also got work-rate.

“They look fit and sharp and those qualities have always been key at Brightlingsea.

“You have to have the right work ethic and with these boys on board, hopefully we can take the club to the next level.

“Last year the aim was to stay up but this year I’m sure it’ll be to push on and try and make the play-offs."

While Gould is relishing the collective challenge, he is also enjoying the individual one, testing himself at step three level.

He admits last season was his toughest yet - but was delighted to be rewarded with the manager's player-of-the-year award, after impressing boss Tom Rothery.

“I didn’t know what to expect and it was hard at first, with the manager changing (Rothery replaced James Webster)," said Gould, whose cousin, Josh, is also a long-serving player in the Regent squad.

“But Tom coming in was great for me.

"I knew him from before (in a previous spell as assistant manager) and he knows how I play.

“Last year was my biggest test.

“Tom was obviously pleased with me, though, because I got manager’s player, which I was really chuffed with.

“From my point of view, it was a challenge coming up against strong, quick and powerful wingers so I had to adapt my game.

“I’ve always had a bit of pace but I’ve had to work on my defending a lot more.

“It’s been a real learning curve."

Gould says that after a season at step three, he and his team-mates are fully prepared for the challenge this time around - and insists there can be "no excuses".

“We know what to expect now, after a season of bedding in," he said.

“You can’t coast in any game and have to turn up and be 100% focused.

“Otherwise you’ll get turned over.

“Last year we were going into the unknown and went into the season thinking we had nothing to lose.

“But this time we can’t have any excuses. We know exactly what to expect.

“Before, in other leagues, we might go 2-0 down and win 3-2.

“In this league, if you go two-down it’s pretty much game over.

“It’s a lot harder to come back from behind and you’ve got to be right on it from the first whistle until the 93rd or 94th minute."

Gould's commitment can't be faulted and he believes he's at the perfect club in Regent.

“I’ve seen so many changes here, starting when the club were in the Border League," he said.

“People have asked me whether I’d move or play somewhere else but why would I?

“I’m playing at the highest level locally and I live round the corner from the ground.

"What more could I want?"

Regent play their first home game of the new campaign on Tuesday night, when they welcome Haringey Borough to the Taydal Stadium.

Elsewhere, in division north, HEYBRIDGE SWIFTS head to AFC Sudbury, WITHAM TOWN travel to Barking, COGGESHALL TOWN visit Dereham Town and MALDON AND TIPTREE have a home date with Brentwood.