WHEN it comes to ambition then Bolton Hockey Club firmly believe they are going places and in player-coach John Woods have a man who can deliver. In his first year Woods - who has played the game at the highest level - turned a struggling outfit into a championship winning side and as the new season gets underway on Saturday he feels a second successive promotion is a realistic target.

"We have had an excellent pre-season and I am happy with fitness levels," he said. "We have been able to build on last year and introduce only a couple of players so we have not had to change the formation much."

Woods is confident his team can handle the step up to the Northern Counties Hockey League Division Two West and is predicting they will be in the frame for promotion at the end of the season.

"Last year scoring goals was a problem for our forwards with Chris Aitken and Craig Cohen only getting half a dozen each while I scored 29 from midfield, " he added.

"But we have signed a proven goalscorer in Andrew Hurst from Cheetham Hill and his impact should more than compensate for the step up into a higher division. "I believe that it is vital for the players to have a professional attitude because at this level it can be worth two or three goals a game. Our attitude was right last year and that was why we did so well. We only had two bad results all season and that taught us a few lessons."

The only other change to last year's line-up is the loss of stalwart Andrew Jackson after a decade at the club, but his replacement, utility player Julian King from Bramhall, who has experience at a higher level, should strengthen the side.

Home is where the heart is for Woods who returned to Bolton after a decade of success which took him into the top flight. He started 10 years ago at the age of 18 when he joined the Bolton club but his coach Dinker Patel, quickly realised his ability and it was not long before he moved on to Blackburn, who played a couple of divisions higher than Bolton do now.

His talents were soon spotted by National League side Doncaster and he remained there for five fruitful years and helped take them into the country's top division. "It was fabulous playing with the elite stars - a dream come true as many of the best players from around the world were in that league," he purred.

He played for a Divisional side and still turns out for Yorkshire at county level - even though he comes from Over Hulton - but the amount of travelling finally took its toll and he decided that he would like to return back to his roots.

"I want to take Bolton as far as I can. We have a very progressive committee who have given me great support and there is no reason why we can't go from strength to strength.

"We have some fabulous youngsters, many of whom have played for Lancashire, but although they are not ready yet for the first team they will be pushing in a few years time.

"One lad in particular, David Flanagan, has the ability to play for England. He is only eight but excelled when he played in an U15s tournament. His brother Peter is also a possible England star of the future. With talent like that the future looks rosy for the club."

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