Titans bullish ahead of opener

ROTHERHAM Titans kick off their new season at Clifton Lane on Saturday with chairman Nick Cragg saying the club will be leaner and meaner following last term's relegation.

They face Old Elthamians (2pm) in their first National One level game for 22 years and Cragg believes the club is ready for the challenges ahead.

And switching to part-time training hasn't been a major issue.

He said: "This part-time model that we now have is very good, for instance Bedford are also using a similar one in the Championship and it has worked for them.

"Our coaches are good lads and I'm cautiously and pleasantly optimistic that they will do well. They command respect and that's good for young coaches. They are leading well. 

"Then again, it is early days and we've seen nothing yet, but there is an optimism around the club.

"We have to live within our means and go back to punching above our weight — but we are trying to get the spirit back into this club and that's perhaps the most important thing of all."

Titans go into the season with 30 new players and a new coaching team in Martin Jenkinson, Joe Barker, Matt Smith and Christian Head, all seen above.