AFTER years of battling to survive, Wharfedale's long-serving No 8 Rob Baldwin says that 2016-17 will be a fresh start for everyone at the club.

The 30-year-old back-rower said: "Don't get me wrong, we didn't want to go down from National League One and we were very sad and frustrated when it happened.

"I will miss the Friday-night coach trips in general and trips to Blackheath, which is a nice place to play rugby in front of passionate fans, and Henley and Richmond, and I will miss the visits to the south and south-west in general.

"But a week or two after we had been relegated to National League Two North, you realise that it is a fresh start for everyone and, although we know it is going to be tough, hopefully we will only be there for one season."

The Greens have yet to announce a forwards' coach, but Baldwin has asked for patience in this respect, saying: "It is important that we take our time over this appointment as it is such an important one.

"Hopefully we will know more by Friday, June 10 when our new coach James Doherty has called a players' meeting for those who have either already committed themselves to us for next season or those who are thinking about committing themselves."

Although Wharfedale have dropped into the fourth tier for the first time in 20 seasons, Baldwin said that he could think of a couple of advantages to playing in National League Two North.

He said: "There is less travel and more local matches, such as against Otley and Harrogate."

In terms of available players for 2016-17, Baldwin said: "It is a boost for us to have people such as second-row Richard Rhodes and flanker JamesTyson back, while Alistair Allen wants to get himself fit and play a full season.

"But we need more props, who are a valuable commodity."

Rugby chairman Michael Harrison confirmed that pre-season training would start on the first Tuesday in July (July 5) and that Wharfedale Foresters would be at home to Durham University in an early-season match on either Monday, September 19 or Tuesday, September 20.