Ground: The Shay

Capacity: 7,449

Last season: 10th

Manager: Mark Lillis

Ins: Chris Tate striker from Scarborough for £150,000; Tony Parks goalkeeper from Scarborough, free; Matthew Russell defender from Scarborough £25,000; Mark Jules defender from Chesterfield, free; Steve Gaughan winger from Darlington, free; Robbie Painter striker from Rochdale, free; Graham Mitchell defender from Cardiff City, free; Ian Richards defender from Blackburn, free.

Outs: Lee Martin goalkeeper to Macclesfield; Dave Mason defender, John Brown defender, Andy Thackeray midfielder - all to Nuneaton on frees.

Chances: Hectic transfer activity in the summer affords high hopes to fans at The Shay. After narrowly missing out on the play-offs last season when a good start was frittered away by poor form and managerial upheaval the appointment of Mark Lillis as manager has rekindled the 'buzz' at the west Yorkshire club. Lillis, who was number two to Brian Laws in Scunthorpe's winning Wembley way last May, has turned to experience to meld with the promise of young forward Chris Tate, the one-time York City junior.

One to Watch: Chris Tate. The Shaymen's York-born record signing has a lot to live up to since his big-money arrival from Scarborough. But manager Lillis is convinced he can deliver the goals.

Title odds: 16-1.