Football: Newry City boss Mullen counting down the minutes until Premiership return
But he admits that this is the 'toughest transfer window yet'
Newry City AFC manager Darren Mullen says the Premiership his side are coming back into for the 2022-23 season is a vastly different one than that of the last time they were there.
City were relegated from the top flight on the final day of their first campaign back in three years ago, following a remarkable four promotions in five seasons after reforming in 2013.
City stormed to the Championship title last season, eventually beating Annagh United to the trophy by six points. They were also edged out of a place in the Irish Cup Final following a narrow defeat to Ballymena United in the last four.
While Mullen, who has been at the helm since the club's reformation, feels his side are capable of being more than competitive in the top tier of local football, he's also readily aware of the changed landscape City are returning to.
Champions Linfield, Glentoran, Larne and Irish Cup winners Crusaders are all full-time, while most of the others, including runners-up and League Cup holders Cliftonville, have significantly strengthened.
"We need to prove that we belong here," says the City boss, who celebrates his 50th birthday this week.
"I know we're fit to compete, but it's important for the players to get a few positive results early on to show we're capable of being at this level. It's fine margins - the last time we were in the Premiership, we had something like 19 defeats by a single goal," he added.
"I think we're better set up this time offensively. We've a lot of pace and a lot of youth and I think we might surprise a few teams. We're looking forward to it and it's an exciting time for the club.
"We know there are going to be difficult days - that comes with the territory at this level of football, but we need to make sure we do whatever it takes to stay in this division."
At the time of writing, Mullen has kept hold of the bulk of the Championship-winning squad. But he admitted the finances in Irish Premiership football were making it difficult for him to bring new faces in.
However, far from complaining about that, the City boss says everyone should be aspiring to get to the same level as the full-time clubs in the county.
"There's a massive difference, I can see it already in terms of the finances," he said, when asked how the Premiership landscape had changed in the past 3 years.
"But I think it's great what the full-time teams are doing. Everybody should aspire to that and you shouldn't be complaining about how much money Larne, Linfield, Glentoran or whoever it may be have. The rest of us should be aspiring to catch up to those clubs. I'd love Newry to be full-time and have the full-time facilities that come with it.
He added: "We need to catch up with them. But that's very difficult because there are very few Kenny Bruces and the like about. We have to try as best we can and we have to be smarter.
"As a coach, I have to work smarter and, as a club, we have to work from within and try and bring young players through, which we've been doing and been successful at. That has to continue."
City are currently the only club in the Premiership yet to have added any new signings to their squad, while defender Fra Brennan and forward Mark Kelly have both departed The Showgrounds.
Mullen is quick to admit it's been hard to get deals over the line to date.
"This has been the most difficult window to get players in because of the level we're at. With the finances we have, we can't afford to give out contracts to players we aren't sure about as to whether they're fit for this level," he says.
"We've done a lot of work over the Summer without bearing fruit at this stage. But we've have 6 or 7 coming into pre-season next week looking to earn a contract. From speaking to other managers, they're saying the same - that it's very difficult - unless you're at the end of the scale where you can afford to bring players in from England or Scotland. We're not at that level.
"There will be players coming in, whether that's later on in window. We just have to be smart and ensure that any players we do bring in, fit in to what we have financially and also the style of play," Mullen added.
City begin life back in the Premiership with a trip to face Carrick Rangers on the opening day of Saturday August 13th. The first home game comes seven day later, when they welcome David Healy's champions Linfield to The Showgrounds.