DROITWICH SPA joint-boss Wayne Oliver believes next season will be even tougher for his Saltmen following a record league finish and two pieces of silverware.
Under the guidance of Oliver and fellow joint-manager Mark Owen, Spa found themselves in a close promotion race in Division Two of the Midland League.
However, poor results in the dying embers of the campaign saw Spa’s hopes of going up dashed as eventual champions Alvis Sporting Club and Chelmsley Town claimed the two automatic promotion spots.
Spa’s third place finish was a record league finish for the club and their successes were backed up after they claimed the Worcestershire FA Saturday Junior Cup and Presidents Cup.
Despite their successful campaign, Oliver told the Standard it will be difficult to replicate last season again.
“Our division, once the constitution of it is finalised, will be one of the hardest divisions to get out of,” he said.
“Hampton finished the season well so they’ll be strong and Paget Rangers were the form side in the late stages of the season so they will be a threat too.
“Barnt Green Spartak and Fairfield Villa will not have another bad season like the one just gone so we can’t rule those two teams out.
“There’s also the teams which could potentially come up like Redditch Borough, Smithswood Firs and Leamington Hibernian and of course those that come down so it’s going to be a very strong league.
“It’s important we get off to a good start and push on from there and it would be nice to get some more silverware but it will be tough.”
Spa return to training on July 2 before kick-starting their pre-season friendlies with a home fixture against Midland League Division One outfit Racing Club Warwick (3pm KO).
The Saltmen have also remained fairly quiet since the season ended with defender Matthew Hunt the only player to have agreed terms to join Oliver’s side from Pershore Town.
Despite their lack of transfer activity, Oliver said he had targets in mind but remained coy on who he was looking at.
“We’re not going to be signing anyone for the sake of it,” he added.
“We’ve got a few fingers in a few pies but we’re not going to be announcing anything yet as we only want players who will work as hard as our current bunch.”
