LEIGH RMI Phil Starbuck insists that he is still looking forward to next season despite a dreadful campaign.

Starbuck is keen to build on the club's potential and believes RMI will bounce back, whether they escape relegation from the Conference or not.

Leigh have been relegated to the new Conference North Division, but are still holding out for a reprieve.

They may survive if no team is promoted from the Unibond League -- and runaway leaders Hucknall Town cannot go up as their ground is not up to Conference standard -- and if, in addition, Margate are kicked out of the non-league's top tier, which is likely if they fail to win planning permission for a new stadium.

Starbuck said: "There is a lot going on. People are working hard in the background and the club have a good structure, foundation wise. We have suffered a setback this year, but make no mistake we have the right people in the right places trying to do the right things and we will bounce back.

"We don't know what is going to happen as regards the reshuffling of the leagues and the future of Margate, but I do know that the board has been magnificent and worked hard to keep us going. We have a lot to look forward to and have had good news that the ground is a stage closer.

"I am looking forward to next season already because I see the potential at the club. But it is time people began to pull together. We need to get a good relationship with the rugby. We need to build a few bridges."

RMI wind up their season on Saturday with a difficult trip to play-off chasing Barnet.

Starbuck will be hoping a number of his injury-hit players will have recovered and that his side produce a better performance than they managed in losing 5-0 at home to Hereford last Saturday.

He added: "We had a lot of injuries and problems but that isn't an excuse, as the lads did not work hard enough."

We had to compete but the house came crashing down. The first three goals were all silly mistakes.

"Defensively we looked weak and that is because people were not doing their jobs right. We have one more game to go. We have to make the most of it and enjoy the day out. Although the result doesn't matter for us, I will pick the strongest side possible."