Tyreece Simpson is looking forward to being on the other side of the fence and having the full backing of the Stevenage fans when the new League One season starts.

Boro host Shrewsbury Town at the Lamex on Saturday and it will be a first chance for the new man to get out in front of the faithful in a competitive fixture.

And the former Huddersfield Town striker says it will be much nicer than his last trip.

He said: "I’ve played here in the past and [Stevenage] were always horrible to play against, I’m sure the fans also said a couple of words to me. 

"But now I can't wait so if I get my chance, I can't wait to take it and play in front of them. 

"I've got a bit of pace, I don't mind getting stuck in and hopefully I can bring a lot to the team.

"I'm very excited. I’ve been training hard and well with the boys, everyone has and we are all prepared for the first game on Saturday. 

"You just want to be ahead of every [other club] we compete with. 

"Everyone's getting stuck in, working hard, and just getting ready for the season like I said. 

The 22-year-old may get his chance too with both Jamie Reid and Aaron Pressley out injured.

But despite being in competition with his new friends, he says the welcome has been excellent and has stoked the fire for the new season.

Simpson said: "I was surprised. After the first couple of days, I felt at home already. 

"The boys have been proper welcoming, a proper tight-knit group. 

"It’s been great and pretty easy for me to be fair.

"[Competition for the team on a Saturday] starts from the Monday and goes all the way through, every day. 

"You've got to be on it. If not, then someone will take your spot so you can't take your foot off the gas."

He also has his time at Huddersfield to fall back on which, although he thoroughly enjoyed it, didn't go as he had hoped or planned.

"What happened with Huddersfield is just football and it happens," he said. 

"But there's no reason for me to get down it’s not the time to dwell on things. You’ve just got to get up and go again.  

"When you get knocked back, you keep going and keep going and keep going. 

"But yeah, it does give you a little more fire and it will definitely push me as well, as will the competition around me, that will only only make me better." 

And he is also ignoring talk from outside the camp that Stevenage might struggle in a very competitive League One line-up.

"I don’t listen to the outside noise," he said. "I know what I can do, I know what the boys can do, so hopefully we'll prove everyone wrong.

"We'll do our thing and that will be enough."

And while Stevenage will be hoping to reap the benefits of his talent, there was a moment when he could have taken another path, having been offered a professional rugby contract with Leicester Tigers.

That though was never really on the cards for the young Tyreece.

He said: "Leicester offered me a contract early but I played rugby because I was good at it and I was kind of pushed into playing. 

"And I knew I couldn't go that far in something I didn't actually have the love for. 

"So I chose football and then had to try and find my way through the football path. 

"I’d forgot about playing at Twickenham but yeah, it was a great experience."