Stuart McCall has put his head straight on the block by insisting: We have to go up next season.

City's new manager today gave his first interview since returning to Valley Parade for his third coming.

And he made it emphatically clear that he will chase instant success after too many recent seasons of frustration and failure.

Speaking exclusively to the T&A, McCall revealed a burning ambition to lift the club straight out of the League Two doldrums.

"I will see myself as a failure if I don't get the club back up at the first attempt," he said, "and I've got the strongest desire anyone could possible have to achieve that. I know I'm there to be shot at but that's how I feel.

"You've got to set yourself targets and that will be mine.

"I've signed a two-year contract but my ambition is to be here for years and years to come.

"It needs a lot of planning and foresight for the future, especially after what has gone on over the last six years.

"Short-term success for me will be judged on what division we are in next year and it's got to be the one up from this. Regardless of budgets and players, we will be giving it our all to make that happen.

"Some people told me not to come back and risk tarnishing my reputation but that doesn't bother me one iota. This is something that I'm passionate about doing."

Wayne Jacobs is expected to join McCall as his right-hand man within the next few days once a compensation deal has been settled with Halifax. And the pair will have their work cut out to rebuild a squad that has seen ten players leave in time for the new campaign.

McCall added: "It's good in a way that we have the room to build again and there are ways to do it within a budget.

"Yes, we need experience in key areas and yes, we will use the loan market but ideally I will be looking for lads who are young and hungry.

"I've already been in touch with most of the Premiership and Championship clubs for players who have been released.

"These lads were probably not good enough for that level but still have the desire to be a professional and the enthusiasm I'm after.

"I think back to the first time I was here when we signed people like Greg Abbott, John Hendrie and Chris Withe, allied with the young ones we already had.

"Nobody had ever heard of them but they went on to be great servants for the club and loved being part of it. You still see them coming back now because of that special bond.

"I want to bring in players like that who will hopefully develop and grow with the club."

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