By Tony Leighton

Port Vale striker Marc Richards is aiming to start the new season as he finished the old one to put the relegated Valiants on track for an immediate return to League 1.

Richards hit five goals in the last seven games of an injury-plagued campaign following his 2007 close season move to Vale Park from Barnsley.

"On a personal note," says Richards, "it was a good way end to the season, but obviously the main feeling was the bitter disappointment of being relegated.

"It was a frustrating year all round for me, starting with a hernia problem in pre-season and then I got hit with an Achilles injury once I got going.

"I was out with that one when the new manager (Lee Sinnott) came to the club, then when I came back I tore my ankle ligaments!

"At least I got a few games under my belt at the back end of the season, and it was good to get some goals too."

The 26 year-old striker's goal streak helped Vale to their best run of the season, only one of the final seven games ending in defeat.

That was far too late to save them from relegation, Richards and Co finishing second from bottom and 12 points adrift of the safety places.

But the late spark of form did spread some confidence around Vale Park that 2008-09 could be a far happier campaign.

Richards says: "It was more like promotion than relegation form in those last few games of the season, and we can certainly take heart from that going into the new campaign.

"We've lost one or two players, but the gaffer's brought new ones in and I think we'll have a well balanced squad.

"I've looked after myself over the summer and I'm feeling fitter than ever, so I'm absolutely raring to go.

"I feel that I've started pre-season well, as have all the lads and we've already had a really good work-out in our first friendly at the gaffer's old club, Farsley Celtic.

"Once we're into the season the aim of everybody at the club will be to get ourselves back to League 1 - and I see no reason why we can't be successful."