DEARNE and District are hoping to build on their title-winning season when they play in the Premier Division for the first time.
The Goldthorpe club won Division One with 110 points last season.
They will be looking to do better than near neighbours Wombwell Town who beat them in the play-off final the previous year but then finished bottom in the Premier Division.
Manager Zeph Thomas said: “Last season was great and we had a lot of positives but that’s gone now. We’re going into a tough league and a really competitive league.
"We know we will have our work cut out and have to be at it every game. We’re looking forward to testing ourselves.
“We’re under no illusions. We know it will be a lot tougher. We will have to work extra hard and have more quality in big moments. It was tough for Wombwell and Horbury. We know how hard it’s going to be but we will be ready for the challenge.”
Taylor Nicholson, Alex Varley and Josh Dacre have left the club with Dearne recruiting centre-back Dan Burns, young midfielder Jack Birks and Wombwell Town striker Jordan Kershaw.
“We’ve kept the majority which is always good because we have a good changing room and ethos. We want players who come in to fit into the dressing room. We have no target. We will take each game at a time and enjoy it. There is no pressure on us which will be quite nice.”
Dearne are due to start the season at Tadcaster Albion on Saturday then host Penistone Church on Tuesday from 7.45pm.
