WOOFFERTON will target an immediate promotion upon their return to the Herefordshire League next season, says club stalwart David Thomas.

A lack of players forced the club to withdraw from the league last summer but Woofferton’s absence has been a brief one and they will return in 2019-20.

Orleton Reserves team bosses Dane Pearce and Alan Hoppcutt have left to take over at Woofferton.

Matchday secretary and veteran player Thomas says the club will request to start at the league’s lowest level, Division Two, and bid to work their way up.

He said: “We were in Division One the last ten seasons but we want to go into Division Two, we want to start at the bottom and earn our way up, hopefully beginning with promotion this year.

“I’m really happy Dane and Alan have come over and they will be bringing some players with them so we have a ready-made squad.

“There might also be a few former Woofferton players who stopped playing and didn’t go to other clubs, who might now come back, so we are confident we have enough to bolster the squad.”

Thomas admitted he was unsure what the future would hold when Woofferton withdrew from the league last summer to focus on the club’s junior system.

But their under-15s capped a fine campaign with a cup win and now, as under-16s, will enter the Worcestershire League next season.

Thomas added: “We were sad to miss last season but now, especially with the amount of youngsters with the potential to be involved, we can build again.

“It was disappointing and obviously a bit worrying when we had to withdraw from the league last year. It was the first time in 50 years that the club had not been able to field a team.

“There are more teams folding in football than new ones starting – but I always told people we weren’t folding. It’s great that adult football is returning and will hopefully continue.”

Woofferton return to pre-season training next Tuesday (July 2, 6.45pm) at Brimfield and Little Hereford Sports Club, with new players welcome.