HELPING Scunthorpe United achieve promotion this season would be that bit more special to Paul Reid.

After gate-crashing their relegation campaign in 2010/11, the centre back admits to a sense of responsibility on his part for Scunthorpe's demotion, even though he only signed in the January transfer window.

But, after playing 45 minutes against Bottesford Town in the first pre-season outing of the summer, Reid is confident the current squad has what it takes to claim their place in the Championship once again.

"It would mean even more to get there off my own back and help this team get back into the Championship," Reid told the Telegraph after his goalscoring appearance during a 7-0 win at Birch Park.

"There were a few signings, including myself, that we brought in to try to avoid relegation.

"It didn't work. I have to take my own responsibility for that, take it on to this year and hopefully put it right.

"I think Scunthorpe are a very good League One team and are more than capable of mixing it with the bigger clubs that are in our division.

"No-one has a divine right to get promoted – teams like Charlton and Sheffield Wednesday didn't do it last year.

"This year, if we can be in and around the top six by Christmas then we can have a good season."

Seen as a 'necessary evil' to Reid, pre-season has been going well, a refreshing change to previous years, in which a chequered injury history has hampered the 29-year-old's preparations.

"I don't like pre-season, but not for the reasons you might think," he continued.

"I don't mind the hard work and the running, but it is all just about waiting for the start of the proper action in August.

"That is what you play for, not for pre-season – it is a necessary evil.

"In fitness terms, I am pretty good, actually better than in previous seasons.

"I have missed pre-season quite a bit through injury, so it is nice to get one, hopefully, under my belt.

"I have done a bit of work over the summer on a few different things that, over the years, I have discovered do help.

"I am in good shape and expecting a big year from myself, and everybody else."

After a comprehensive success over Town, Reid believes the Iron have made a decent start to their seven-game pre-season run.

"It is a promising start," he said.

"No disrespect to them, but we are expected to win.

"We have passed it pretty well, on a pitch that is not the best, so you have got to take the positives out of it."