BOLTON Rugby Union Club officials are already busily preparing for the coming season and ready to welcome new players.

The club has several changes to its own structure following its continued growth. The senior rugby section now has its own committee, to concentrate purely on the running of the senior teams.

Former coach Paul Fernside is the newly appointed chairman, with Les Towler as treasurer and Martin Higgins as secretary. They are supported by player representatives, captains and the coaches.

Mark Bolton has been appointed player coach and he will be supported by Neil Brooks who has been installed as first team captain. Irishman Liam Mitchell has returned to the club and has responsibility for the forwards.

The club is excited by the appointments as the coaching is now in the hands of three first team players who are aged 27, 30 and 23 respectively.

Many of the old guard have now moved down a level, which will hopefully help to bring on the many youngsters in the sides.

There are four new teams in the in the first teams division, Aldwinians who not so long ago were aiming to achieve National League status have suffered back to back relegations and now find themselves in North Lancs One.

Three teams have been promoted into the league, courtesy of Burnage's success in the play offs, that saw themselves and champions Heaton Moor promoted.

Manchester side Bedians come up as champions of North Lancs Two along with runners up Colne and Nelson.

Chorley join the newcomers with a late promotion thanks to Burnage's success. Leaving the division in the other direction are Blackpool and Ashton under Lyne.

The seconds also have a new regime. They are now under Dave Hulme and Andy Leigh and will be looking to improve on last season's fourth position and seek promotion.

The thirds are guided by Paul Hunt and Chris Barr, and the fourths are once more under the direction of Dave Wilson and Mark Robinson who is also acting as fixture secretary. It is hoped the vets and/or a fifth team will play friendly fixtures during the season.

The club are now on the lookout for potential new players of all levels to play in the sides.

Over the years there has always been a tradition of rugby players from the Bolton area playing for a number of sides out of town. This may have been down to the lack of facilities that Bolton had at the time, or a desire to play at a higher more organised level. The club would like to offer any player in the Bolton area the opportunity to come training under no obligation. In the last decade Bolton's facilities have improved beyond all recognition and there are more initiatives including floodlighting one of the pitches on the way.

Pre season training starts on Tuesday, July 5.

Any interested players please come along to training on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7pm visit the club's website www.boltonrugby.co.uk, or ring 01204 480533.

Currently the players are ticking over by playing touch rugby on Thursdays at 7pm.