MIDDLEWICH Town manager Terry Murphy wants this season to be his club's last in the Mid Cheshire League.

He says the coming season is a big one on and off the pitch.

"We can't afford to stand still," he said yesterday, Tuesday.

"I want Middlewich Town to achieve with the players we have here, and that means looking to take them into the North West Counties League.

"I don't think we need to stay in the Mid-Cheshire League forever."

Confident

Murphy is confident he has the backing of the trustees, with meetings already pencilled to discuss Town's future.

He said: "I've got a group of young players here who want to take Middlewich to the next level.

"Why shouldn't we be aiming higher?"

And those players have vowed to stay loyal to Murphy for the forthcoming campaign.

The Middlewich boss confirmed that the whole of his first team squad from last season is ready to sign on again.

But that will not stop him scouting for fresh faces.

He said: "I want to add another two or three players if I can, providing they improve on what I've already got."

The club held their annual meeting on Sunday evening, but one person was conspicuous by his absence.

"I couldn't miss watching England could I?", laughed Murphy.

"The chairman called me the following day and told me that I'm still the manager, so I'm happy with that."

Town report back for pre-season training tomorrow night, Thursday.

Murphy added@ "I'm looking forward to having a chat with them all."