With a month to go to the big kick-off, Rainworth Miners Welfare boss Rudy Funk is looking forward to the next challenge facing the club with relish.

In an interview for the club website this week, he revealed that, with the new faces on board and all but two of last season's first team squad also having committed to the club, he is confident that the Wrens will be well placed for another promotion push.

"Last season was great not only for the club but for Rainworth as a community," he said.

"We're moving on to yet another new era for our club as we step up to the next level, and we are looking to move on from strength to strength."

Looking towards the new season, Rudy emphasised how well pre-season training has been going, and how it has charged up his anticipation of the coming campaign.

"We've brought in some excellent new faces, including three important ones on the staff side in Mick Gould, Sully Soloman and Mick Webster.

"These are people who are already bringing a new dimension to the club with their experience and enthusiasm."

Other new players in are former Gedling and Arnold Town big central defender Gary Wright, quick and prolific front man Adam Lillie who topped 20 goals for Graham Street Prims in a poor season for the club.

Newcomers in midfield are Andy Jones from Shirebrook, left-sider Robbie Mawer from Gedlng MW, former Shirebrook and Glapwell player Adam Fletcher who plays on the right side, and a real coup in former Retford United player-manager Mark Shaw ? who twice in the last three seasons has plotted Rainworth's downfall in the Vase.

On top of these, effectively a new signing is Jamie Morgan, who began last season but suffered an early injury which kept him sidelined for the rest of the campaign.

Looking forward to the league season, Rudy cautioned against heeding those who say there is little difference between the NCEL and the Central Midlands.

"The NCEL is a very strong league with some strong sides," he insisted.

"Everyone is talking about what Scarborough and Leeds Met Carnegie are bringing to the league, while Bottesford Town and Barton Town will also be very strong again.

"Every team we play will provide a tough test and we have to be prepared, but we have not come into this league to make up the numbers.

"This club is on the move and we have to make the momentum count. There will be no negativity of any description in the dressing room, and everything we do will be done with great professionalism."