OTLEY prepare for the new season, which starts with an away game at Harrogate on September 5, with two practice matches.

The first is at Rossendale on Saturday and is followed by a home clash with Hinckley on August 22 (3pm).

The home game is to be a Family Fun Day with no entrance charges but lots of activity and from 5.30 pm new Chairman Paul Mackie will be hosting a Chairman’s Dinner where the new direction and business plan for the club will be expressed.

There will also be a question and answer session with the Otley squad about their ambitions plus an opportunity to meet the new signings for the coming campaign.

Last year’s squad have all re-signed with the exception of Andrew Rhodes who has moved to Wharfedale and Mark Cooke to Leodiensians while hooker Jack Liebster and winger/full-back Sam Melville have come up from the junior section. Winger James Wood returns from Sedgley Park and among the new signings made by coach Peter Clegg are tight-head prop Chad Harris, who had experience with Havelock North before joining Ilkley, fly-half/full-back Joshua Cruise from Selby, centre Lewis Johnston from Darlington, scrum-half Gary Newman from Sandal and, Rory Kettlewellf rom Leeds Rhinos who can fill both half-back slots.

Tickets for the three-course meal are available priced £12.50 from: Paul Mackie 07771891497, Marc Lawrence 07949272434 or David Somers 07951069164.