After a season in which Wharfedale only secured their National League One safety on April 30, coach Tom McGee has loftier aims for the club in 2011-12.

“My ambition for us next season is that we can be in the top five – or even the top four,” said McGee.

“It is not going to happen without a lot of hard work but, with the squad that we have, I believe that we can do it.”

McGee was speaking during the Greens’ annual dinner in their clubhouse.

The Foresters won the Cath Harrison Trophy as the most successful team at The Avenue and McGee had a challenge for their players as well.

He said: “The Foresters lads have been patient but there is a huge amount of talent in that squad and I would love them to turn up for pre-season training on July 12 and push themselves forward for first-team places. That is massively important for our club’s identity.”

McGee, who has just completed his initial season in charge, also talked of his relationship with first-team skipper Rob Baldwin.

“Rob and I had a very shaky start but Rob is exactly the same as me,” he said.

“I told Rob that he would have the best season that he has ever had and he has gone on to become captain of Yorkshire.”

McGee, who hails from Scotland – “Thurso is somewhere near Iceland!” – also confessed that he had made mistakes in his first year at the helm.

“We had a very strong start to the season but I learnt a lot in the second third of the season regarding man-management skills,” he said.

“After that we were positive and our wins against Tynedale at home and Stourbridge away were outstanding.

“National One is a very difficult league and it took me a while to adjust back to the core values of rugby.

“But this club is like no other and I believe we belong with Tynedale (fifth in 2010-11) and Blackheath (sixth).”