Will Bray be a football town or a town with a football club?
BRAY WANDERERS have just one more dress rehearsal before the First Division gets underway.
Gary Cronin will no doubt look to iron out a few details between now and then, whilst the FAI will hopefully confirm a few details soon; such as the number of teams intheleague.
On the pre-season trail, the Seagulls drew with Shamrock Rovers (1-1) and Bohemians (0-0 behind closed doors) but lost to Waterford (1-0).
A trip to Tolka Park on Friday evening represents their last chance to shake off the cobwebs before facing off with Cabinteely two weeks later (16 days from today) in the league opener.
According to Paddy Power, Drogheda United are the favourites for the First Division title, with Longford and Galway tied for second and Bray close behind them and then there’s a sizeable drop-off to UCD in fifth.
Goals were where Bray fell short last season.
In the form of Gary Shaw, they have a man who is capable of playing in the Premier Division but so often he’s a striker praised for his work ethic or ability to bring team-mates into play. Cronin will hope 2020 is finally the year the the Kildare man his the goal trail and hits it hard.
Dylan McGlade - despite constantly blowing hot and cold on an incredible level - will be missed but Dean Graydon has looked an impressive attacking option since signing from Bohemians (officially announced on Monday).
Wanderers fans will not want to spend another season falling short in the First Division.
Attendances last year were fantastic and the young faces in the crowd were brilliant to see but another underwhelming in the second tier will test their loyalty.
What happens on Friday means nothing. What happened against Waterford meant nothing.
What happens in Stradbrook, and in the subsequent league games is where it all counts.
It could mean the difference between a bright future or a dark cloud over the seaside venue.
It could mean the difference between Bray being a football town or being a town with a football club.
2020 will be a massive year for Bray Wanderers. Bring it on.