So for Haverfordwest County tomorrow, things get real.

After a bizarre few months which went from lockdown, to points per game averages, to title disappointment, to promotion by default, to a new Chairman, and then to an influx of new faces, the Bluebirds will start life back in the JD Cymru Premiership with a home game against Cefn Druids.

And they will go into their first top-flight game since being relegated in 2016, seemingly riding a wave of positivity after a fruitful summer.

The arrival of Rob Edwards has brought much needed investment into the club. The brutal reality of modern day football, even at semi-professional level, means the concept of competing in national Premier divisions on a shoestring budget is an unrealistic one.

Edwards has struck the right notes so far. He’s spoken about wanting to raise the profile of the club, the need to keep it engaged with the local community, and has pledged long term commitment.

And the ambition to re-cement Haverfordwest as a top flight club has been evident. The promising Alaric Jones has returned from Carmarthen Town while Cameron Keetch, Corey Shephard, Kieran Lewis and Polish keeper Wojciech Gajda are among others to have signed.

The capture of James Loveridge proved brief but critically, former striker Danny Williams has come back from Cardiff City on a six month loan deal.

The spine of the side from last season remains though. Few deserved last season’s promotion more than skipper Sean Pemberton, while experienced faces like Scott Tancock, Steve Hall, Ricky Watts and Nicky Palmer have all re-signed. In Ben Fawcett, Jack Wilson and Jack Britton, manager Wayne Jones also has young talent at his disposal.

And Jones will now work alongside assistant Mark Murison, who has moved move to fill the vacancy left by Tim Hicks after he joined Swansea University FC in June.

Behind closed doors friendlies have yielded results, with wins over Cardiff Met and Aberystwyth Town followed up by a draw with Barry Town United. Only a 3-1 defeat to a Swansea City XI last Monday night scuppered the unbeaten record.

When things do kick off 2.30pm on Saturday though, it will be without spectators as the impact of Covid-19 continues to dictate rules and regulations.

That is a shame for all clubs, but in particular Haverfordwest County. With no Pembrokeshire Football League games scheduled anytime soon, likelihood is the intrigue of being back in the Welsh Premier would have enticed more local faces down to watch.

But ultimately, above all else it’s the results that now matter most. The setting and facilities at the Meadow have long been worthy of a place in the top echelon of Welsh football. A structure off the field now seems in place to push things forward financially, and the playing squad has been strengthened.

And yet, that will all mean little if it doesn’t convert to on field success. Cefn Druids will arrive on the back of an eighth place finish in the curtailed 2019/20 season, and extra spice has been added with their appointment of Bruno Lopes as manager this week.

Since the chaos of Covid, Haverfordwest County have made some big statements of intent off the field.

Now the time has come to start making them on it.