Lowestoft Town boss Dale Brooks has a three-year plan to try and take the Blues back into the National League.

The former Norwich City coach wants to take the Trawlerboys – who travel to Worthing on Saturday – back to step two of the non league ladder within three years – but acknowledges strides have got to be made off the pitch to make it a reality.

'The first task for us has to be stabilisation in this league (Bostik Premier Division),' said Brooks, who took charge of the Blues in the wake of Ady Gallagher's departure as manager at the start of November.

'We can then hopefully build from there and next season look to be in the top half, pushing for the play-offs. That has to be the goal.

'Hopefully after that we can be in a position to have a proper go at it.

'We just want to be competitive in this league. For all the teams that Lowestoft have had in the recent past they never won this league – it's an incredibly hard division to get out of.'

Lowestoft were relegated on goal difference in their second season in National League North in 2016 and haven't got anywhere near returning since. Brooks admits that more finances need to be found if Lowestoft are ever to have a second bite at the higher level.

'Things have got to change off the field as well for all of this to happen,' said Brooks, who is working under the same constraints as his predecessor.

'We have to generate some funds from somewhere to try and take us to the next level. Whether that involves investing more money in the team to get more people through the gate then we will have to see.'

Brooks has turned to the loan market to try and bolster his squad in recent weeks with both Matthew Foy and Nico Cotton making an impression.

'It's not ideal bringing in lots of loan players but they can make a real difference and it's good to get that bit of help from some very promising players.'

This season's ambitions continue at bottom side Worthing. The Trawlerboys head to Sussex in good heart following their 1-0 Boxing Day win at Leiston. The sides have met twice this season – Lowestoft won 1-0 in the league in August but lost 3-0 in the FA Trophy.