Undefeated after four pre-season games, Tauranga City United AFC's premier team and coach are confidently looking forward to their first official game in the premier league against Onehunga Sports in Auckland on Friday.

Their back-to-back promotions over the last few years from second division to first, and now into the premier league under coach Duncan Lowry, has raised the bar to unprecedented heights for the club, but the boys appear unfazed.

Tauranga coach Duncan Lowry (middle) with the team's top scorer Jerahl Hughes (right) and new player Cameron Grieve (left) sporting the club's new home and away kit. Photo: Tracy Hardy.

'It is going to be tough,” says Lowry about Friday's game. 'Onehunga came third in the premiership last year.”

But he is confident his team is the strongest it has ever been.

'I haven't lost anyone.” In fact he's gained a few people. Several players, including a previous captain, have come back to the Bay after a year elsewhere and there are a few new guys.

Choosing the squad won't be a simple task this year as Lowry's now got 20 guys in his squad, giving the team much greater depth than before.

'I can't play everyone each game, so some boys will be disappointed at times.” He admits it is almost a luxury to have two guys competing for each spot each game. Lowry is in his fourth season as coach, having recently signed another one year deal with the club.

'There is a new club structure in place, and there is a new committee. It is all looking good for the future,” he says. He's served his apprenticeship as coach with Greerton (four years) and Matamata (eight years)

Jerahl Hughes, 26, the team's and the first division's topscorer last year with 21 goals, is excited about playing in the premiership. 'I think we deserved it,” he says.

Jerahl's been playing for Tauranga since early 2014 and has ridden the club's wave of success. The game he looks forward to most this year is the one against Hamilton. 'We have a bit of rivalry with them,” he says.

His number one ambition is to win the league, stay in the league and make Tauranga one of the top clubs in the country.

Jerahl grew up in the UK and played for several clubs there when a mate enticed him to try out Tauranga. He's just renewed his visa for another two years.

One of the newbies in the team is Northern Irishman Cameron Grieve (24), who played for Glenavon Football Club and the Dungammon Swifts. 'I knew Duncan from way back and he contacted me 18 months ago and sold me the club and his vision for it really well,” he says.

The kiwi lifestyle, and climate also appealed to him. For now the fullback has signed with Tauranga for a season.

Tauranga City United AFC's first home game is on Sunday, April 3.

Tauranga City United AFC 2016 Fixtures

Friday, March 25, at 3pm Onehunga Sports at Waikaraka Park

*Sunday 3 April 14.45pm Birkenhead United at home (links Avenue, Mount Maunganui)

Saturday 9 April 17.30pm Western Springs AFC at Seddon Fields1

*Sunday 17 April 14.45pm Bay Olympic at home

Saturday 23 April 3pm Three Kings United Keith Hay Park

*Monday 25 April 14.45pm Melville United AFC at home

Saturday 30 April 3pm Forrest Hill Milford Becroft Park

*Sunday 8 May 14.45pm East Coast Bays at home

Week 11 May - Bye

Saturday 14 May 14.45pm Central United Freyberg Field

*Sunday 22 May 14.45pm Eastern Suburbs at home

Saturday 28 May 14.45pm Hamilton Wanderers AFC Porritt Stadium

*Saturday 4 June 14.45pm Glenfield Rovers AFC at home

*Sunday 12 June 14.45pm Onehunga Sports at home

Week 16 June - Bye

Saturday 18 June 3pm Birkenhead United Shepherds Park

Saturday 2 July 3pm Bay Olympic Olympic Park

*Sunday 10 July 14.45pm Three Kings United at home

Saturday 16 July 14.45pm Melville United AFC Gower Park 1

*Sunday 24 July 14.45pm Forrest Hill Milford at home

Saturday 30 July 3pm East Coast Bays Bay City Park 1

*Sunday 7 August 3pm Western Springs at home

*Sunday 14 August 14.45pm Central United at home

Saturday 20 August 3pm Eastern Suburbs Madills Farm 1

*Sunday 28 August 14.45pm Hamilton Wanderers at home

Saturday 3 September 3pm Glenfield Rovers McFetrid