Rainworth Miners Welfare manager Rudy Funk has wasted no time in beginning his preparations for the Wrens' first ever season at Step 5 in the Koolsport NCEL Premier Division.

And already a number of players have followed their manager's lead in committing themselves to the Kirklington Road outfit for the new campaign.

"People are saying the season finishes and the jobs are done," said Funk. "But for me as soon as one season finishes the next one starts, and I believe season 2009-10 will be a terrific one for us because we are very much on a high.

"I've already had talks with players, and while I'm not prepared to reveal at this stage who has or has not signed, I will say that all of the playing staff who ended last season with us have committed themselves to Rainworth for the new campaign in the Premier Division.

"Some individuals have already put pen to paper and, of those that are still to do so, not one has so far rejected an offer.

"We have also already signed up two new players who have experience at higher levels, although again I am not going to reveal who they are until their signatures become binding in July. But things are already looking very promising.

"Billy Millar and I have already spent several hours looking at how we proceed for next season, including what personnel we want to attract to the club, but we have concluded that the lads who won us promotion will be good enough for the new level and even the level after.

"I can't wait for time to pass so that we can get our pre-season programme under way."

Pre-season friendlies will be against some of the club's old rivals from Division One, like Barton and Emley - while Carlton Town and Eastwood Town are likely to provide higher level opposition and the club await confirmation of the expected fixture against League Two outfit Macclesfield Town.

More local clubs like Clipstone are also likely to figure in the preparations, but so far no dates for these matches have been set because the manager is working to set them up in the right order.

Preparations are also continuing apace off the field with work going on at the Kirklington Road stadium, already widely acknowledged as among the best in the region at their level.

Funk added: "As soon as the season finished work began on the pitch and the ground surrounds, which really amazed me because for me the ground was already immaculate, but this is an indication of the type of people we are working with, who want nothing but the best for Rainworth."