Bedworth United, who were on the brink of going out of existence last year, somehow survived under new management and now look forward to consolidating their mid-table position in Dr Martens Midland Division.

Manager Billy Hollywood has been busy in the close season. He has signed five new players and has laid the foundation for a second team to make it easier for younger players to step up from the youth team. It was a huge step to go straight into the first team in the past but now they will make a steady progression. The second team will be managed by former player Adi Gregory and Fred Harrison will be in the charge of the youth team.

Hollywood has strengthened 'The Greenbacks' first team squad by signing Paul O'Brien from Kidderminster Harriers, Tony Lenton (Atherstone United), Martin Crowley and Robbie Wood from Nuneaton Borough, Simon Print, a local youngster, and Chris Binley who had a brief spell as a schoolboy with Premiership club Coventry City.

Bedworth start the campaign away to Solihull Borough, who finished third last season, just missing promotion.

"It will be a tough match to start the new season," says Hollywood. "But we have a home game on Tuesday, August 25th against Wisbech Town and we hope to start with a win in front of our own fans."

His ambitions for the new season are low key however.

"I have to be realistic and say that hope we can finish around mid-table again," he says.

"We surprised people last season by our league position and the fact that we managed to win some silverware in the cups, but when I took over as manager 12 months ago the financial situation at the club was so dire that we came within a hairsbreadth of folding. That is why we are being realistic in our expectations."