Bradford Dudley Hill, relegated from National Conference League Division One last season after failing to fulfil a fixture, have a spring in their step again as they seek to bounce straight back, 30 years on from them winning the BARLA National Cup.
The club have a new coaching team of head coach Kenny Smith and assistants Lewis Evans and Anthony Huby, who have injected a new vigour and attitude to pre-season training.
Smith said: “Firstly I have to say how proud I am that Anthony, Lewis and I have been given the opportunity to try get the club back where it belongs. I can’t have asked for more from the lads so far in training.
"Promotion should be achievable with a lot of hard work and commitment, with everyone pulling in the same direction - not only as an NCL side but the club as a whole.
"The effort from everyone, in not only training but attaining sponsorship, has been unbelievable, and if we take this type of determination into the season I’m sure it will be a successful one.”
Hill's first taste of action this year will be against a Keighley Cougars Select, mainly comprising their under-20s, at the Neil Hunt Memorial Ground on Thursday, February 13 (7.30pm).
A new committee has also been put in place to ensure everyone throughout the club is on the same wavelength for the first time in a long time.
The work secretary Andy Harland and new chairman Ronnie Smith have put in to initially keep the club stable and now put them in a position to move forward has been nothing short of remarkable, and the club's future now looks much more secure.
Meanwhile, Hill's Yorkshire Men’s League side will also be looking for a big season after being close to promotion last season.
The side will once again be coached by Simon Kenefik, who will be assisted by Scott Harland.
Hill's junior set-up also looks stronger, with the youngest team being the under-sevens and the oldest the under-15s as they look to produce the starts of the future.
The age-group coaches are Jason Hoyland (under-sevens), Neil Harland (under-eights), Steve Smith (under-tens), Carl Sullivan (under-11s), Ronnie Smith (under-12s), Kieran Stewart (under-14s) and Chris Cunnett (under-15s).
Among the club's backers are open-age kit sponsors Northern Trade Windows, Mark Chivers - Gas and Solid Fuel Engineer, Yorkshire Gas & Electric, BR Decorating Solutions, Cargo Solutions UK and Del Core Creative Hairdressing.
Meanwhile, Mills CNC and GMB Bradford B30 Public Services are sponsoring the under-12s and Ebor Home Improvements the under-sevens.
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