North Ferriby United chairman Les Hare believes his side can compete with the best in Conference North despite the gulf in money spent throughout the league.
Ferriby are unable to match clubs like Barrow and Harrogate who have invested heavily in order to win promotion to the Conference.
Hare isn't put off by the big spenders and is confident his side can repeat their heroics of last season when they finished second and missed out on promotion through the play-offs.
"I'm not daunted by the amount of money spent by other sides in the league," Hare told the Mail.
"Clubs have been spending like money is going out of fashion, but we can still compete.
"There is no guarantee spending plenty of money means immediate success and we believe we have the right squad in place to hit the ground running at Stockport today.
"I'm excited about the year ahead because we have a full season in this league behind us which we can call on throughout the campaign.
"We don't have the trepidation we did this time last year.
"The key is managing the expectations and look to try and go one better than last season and win promotion to the Conference."
Today's game at Edgeley Park is a further reminder of how far Ferriby have come in a short space of time and how far Stockport have fallen since playing in the Championship in 2002.
The two sides met for the first time last November when two goals from Anthony Wilson secured an historic 2-1 win for the Villagers.
A 0-0 draw later in the season means Ferriby have yet to lose to the Hatters and proved to Hare his side deserves to be where they are.
"We have earned the right to play Stockport at this level," Hare said. "Teams may not have known much about North Ferriby last season, but they do now.
"We are now a team to be recognised and take seriously.
"I've read reports about this league and many managers have expressed their fear of playing us and that is a great compliment for our club.
"In the last few years, we have come to the fore in non-league football and we want to keep that going.
"We have the opportunity to fulfil our dreams and we are in great shape to take the challenges on."
Hare believes the squad assembled by manager Billy Heath is good enough to challenge in all competitions.
Last season, the Villagers enjoyed cup runs in the FA Cup and FA Trophy while winning the East Riding Senior Cup and Hare hopes for similar success this season.
"We have a squad of 22 that I believe have the opportunity to have a go on all fronts," Hare said.
"I would take two excellent cup runs and a place in the play-offs.
"Whatever happens, I intend to enjoy every minute of it."
