Promotion is target, says new chairman

Allen succeeded the popular Ray Buchanan - the first person in many years to serve two years in succession - in the Eaton Park chair at the club's AGM.

The election of such a young man - David hopes to continue to play for the Fifth XV in the new season - will ensure a freshness in approach to reviving the club's fortunes.

"Promotion out of Division Two must be the aim," said David.

"We have to change the mindset and learn how to play right to the end and defend narrow leads without conceding points.

"We have a lot of work to do because we're still on a reasonably sticky wicket and the first thing we have to do is stop the slide and then move the club forward.

"In truth we have been hanging on and hanging on in recent seasons and relegation may not be a bad thing because it will make the players realise how much they have to do in terms of ability, commitment and decision-making.

"Maybe some of the players didn't have the confidence to step up and step forward last season but they will have learned a lot.

"We have a lot of good talent in our borough and our province and in John Andrews we have a coach who is ideally placed to identify that talent.”