RAINWORTH Miners Welfare assistant manager Billy Millar has predicted that the Wrens can hold their own at their new level.

He believes they will be more than capable of living with the leading clubs in their debut KoolSport Northern Counties East League Premier Division season.

One or two judicious acquisitions have been added to last season's promotion winning side, but Millar insists that with the handful of new faces the squad that ended last season will be more than good enough to challenge for honours at the higher level.

Only striker Phil Bignall has left from last season's first team squad, but Millar is delighted by the permanent acquisition of two players who figured on loan from higher grade clubs last season.

Midfielder-defender Matt Baxter has joined on contract from Hucknall Town, despite Hucknall boss Bryan Chambers claiming last week that the highly rated player was remaining at Watnall Road.

Baxter made 15 appearances for the Yellows in the Conference North last season, and 15 more as substitute, as well as figuring in a few games for the Wrens towards the end of the campaign.

"We made Matt a priority after the way he played for us last season," said Millar. "He showed his quality in the ten games he played for us and we won nine of those.

"Also Simon Wright has agreed to come after a few loan appearances from Glapwell last season when he looked the part.

"It's nice to see Andy Jones and Nathan Hollingworth back at the club. Andy missed all of last season through injury and Nathan also missed most of the campaign, so having these two back is like having two brand new signings.

"On the striking side we have signed Julian Topliss, a former Notts County youngster, who was player of the year for Ollerton Town last season. He is training very well and looks a very good signing."

Former Mansfield Town player Lance Mulligan is also back for his second spell at Kirklington Road - Mulligan made a few appearances for the Stags' first team after coming through the youth ranks at Field Mill and on his day is difficult to contain.

"I can remember when Lance was the star of the Stags' youth team," said Millar, "so there is no doubting his ability.

"Also, Barry Alberry ended last season back with us and thoroughly enjoyed the new role he was given in midfield where he never let us down and seemed to take on a new lease of life.

"So we look to be strong in every position and will have bags of quality available.

"We showed last season that we could perform when the pressure was on, and with the addition of the few new boys we will be more than all right.

"I have won two NCEL championship medals as a player when the league was probably stronger than it is now, and when I look back at those days and then look at the squad we have here I'm sure we will do very well.

"The lads are a tightly-knit unit, the atmosphere is superb, and I can't see us falling by the wayside despite it being the highest level the club has ever contested."