Tadcaster Albion’s assistant manager Rob Hunter confidently predicted an improvement on last season’s history-making exploits, writes George Bouras.

Besides a fourth-place finish, Albion also lifted their first trophy at NCEL premier division level with a President’s Cup final win over champions Farsley.

“The ideal scenario is to do better than last year. It’ll be a tough task to do better than fourth but we’re hard on ourselves. We’ve got a good atmosphere in the dressing room and I see no reason why we can’t improve.”

Hunter and manager Paul Marshall have refreshed the squad.

Danny Gray, the club’s top scorer in 2008, has rejoined after spells at Scarborough Athletic and Pickering Town, along with centre-back Jamie Williamson and versatile defender Matthew Sparks.

Tadcaster travel to Hall Road Rangers in their first league fixture tomorrow.

Harrogate Town have been through some behind-the-scenes changes in the off-season with Irving Weaver taking the reins from former owner Bill Fotherby, who will remain as club chairman.

Manager Simon Weaver has added just two players to a squad which has won only one pre-season friendly from six. His side are back in Blue Square Bet North action on Saturday, August 13, when they host Altrincham.

Harrogate Railway have had a topsy-turvy pre-season, winning two, losing two and drawing one with results ranging from a 5-1 win to a 5-0 defeat.

They face a trip to Skelmersdale in their Northern Premier League opener next Saturday.