ROB Baldwin has warned that there can be no excuses for Wharfedale not performing when they resume their National Two League North campaign in September.

Speaking at the club's annual dinner last Friday, after a season in which Wharfedale only ensured their survival in the third from last match of the campaign, club captain Baldwin confessed: "It has been a tough old season, and we probably did underestimate this division, but it was not arrogance.

"We lost a lot of front-row guys, and that is no disrespect to those who did play front row, but winning is a habit and losing is a habit as well.

"Our home form found its feet, and our players stood up to be counted, and that is all that you can ask of them.

"Stockers (Dan Stockdale) performed week in, week out, Harry Bullough was our most-improved player, and Jamie Guy stepped it up to another level.

"Josh Burridge was awesome this season, George Hedgley gets better and better, and coach James Doherty) had a difficult act to follow in Tommy McGee, but was a breath of fresh air, was very positive and the message at training was very clear.

"The gates against Harrogate and Otley were like the old days, and Hedley (Verity) had one of the toughest jobs with the front row, but on the pitch we have not delivered.

"Next season we need to push on. There are no excuses and we need to hit the ground running when pre-season training starts in July."

Despite having a season of struggle, however, particularly before Christmas, Wharfedale reckon that they are in much better shape than 12 months ago.

The Greens were optimistic of bouncing straight back into National League One at their annual dinner a year ago, but club chairman Chris Baker said on Friday: "We want to be a top-six club next season, and then we will go places."