Cowling, chairman-elect, Ian Beaumont, and director of football, Allen Crombie, have met with manager, Sam Wilkinson, assistant manager/player, Chris Hall, and newly-appointed first team coach, Stuart Reddington, to finalise plans for the coming season.

"Ian, Allen and I came away from the meeting saying: WOW - we've got a great management team here," says Cowling. "We were already confident that the appointments of Sam and Chris had given us a good pairing but the addition of 'Reddo' provides another positive dimension. This is 'a first' for all of them and they will need our full support but they are strong, experienced characters who are passionate about the Whites and want the team to succeed." he says. "They are realistic enough to know, however, that success doesn't always come with a big budget and a 'three-year-plan' and that you have to stick with it through thick and thin. We also have one of the best physios in the game in Luke Treadwell, so our bench will be as good as it gets. We will also benefit by developing and involving more of our talented younger players with the first team which is something we haven't really done properly in the past."

United's pre-season build-up has been boosted on and off the field with most of last season's squad committing for another tilt at promotion and a marked improvement to the Sun-hat Stadium.

"The fact that most of last season's squad are staying with us and wanting another try at promotion is testament to the loyalty they have for the Whites and the confidence they have in the new management team." says Cowling. "The same commitment has been shown by the people who gave given up so much of their time to install the new pitch perimeter fencing, prepare the pitch and do all the painting in readiness for the new season. We haven't finished yet in terms of players or the ground but we are in good shape and we will be ready for the new campaign when it starts on 13 August."

"We finished last season facing change and uncertainty - we will start next season with a stronger organisation in place, a much-improved ground and a renewed sense of optimism."

Malcolm Cowling