BOLTON clubs could lead the way in the battle for promotion from the West Lancashire League Division One next season.

That's the verdict of Turton FC chairman Pete Gray as the Thomason Fold side are looking to put behind the misery of being denied a Premier Division spot at the back of their minds despite being runners-up last campaign.

West Lancashire League officials did not allow Turton to go up as they did not meet a ground improvement deadline of March 31.

But after the decision by an FA panel to uphold West Lancashire League's ruling, Turton want to go straight up and Gray believes it will be hard.

He said: "This is going to be a more competitive league this year.

"Tempest are looking really strong with Ross McNair in charge and I know he is strengthening their squad to push on.

"Then you have Ladybridge who have been promoted and I think they will be a tough side to beat.

"So all the Bolton teams could be challenging for promotion alongside the likes of Burscough Richmond and Hurst Green.

"I think not getting promoted has galvanise the squad and it should motivate us to do it.

"We are still really disappointed and it will make us doubley aggressive to go up.

"There were a lot of people supporting us and also took some flack and we will get around the grounds.

"We want to get off to a strong start."

The new coaching line-up of Neil Johnson, Neil Hart and ex-Wanderer Mark Winstanley managed to cast their eyes over the team last week in their first pre-season session.

Gray said: "We do not know if players are moving officially until July 1 but we don't expect an exodus as the players were there on either Tuesday or Thursday.

"Some new players have also come in and that should strengthen us.

"Tempest are already doing it so do we and we cannot think we were second last year and will win it without bringing new players."

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