Stafford Rangers' warning for rivals

Stafford Rangers have warned the division's new big guns that money isn't everything in the hurly burly world of the Blue Square North.

The division will welcome the likes of Nuneaton, Guiseley and Worcester next season - all boasting higher budgets than what management have to work with at Marston Road.

But the big spenders have fell over trying to get out of the league before, with AFC Telford the perfect example.

Regularly attracting crowds more than double the majority of their rivals, the Bucks for all of their endeavours have still to climb out of non-league football's second tier and start their fourth term in 2010/11 after finishing a disappointing 11th last season.

The lower lights refuse to make it easy for the likes of Telford, Hinckley and Stalybridge - who have all been gunning for promotion for years - in a league where shocks can and do happen.

Rangers assistant boss Darren Read believes that will continue to be the case and, in the case of his own club, believes the players will only get stronger for the experiences that lie ahead.

The team made a noted improvement by two places with a better home record in 2009/10, and are in no mood to roll over for their opponents now.

Read said: "With the players that are coming into the league, along with the teams that have been reprieved from relegation, we know it's going to be harder than ever in this league.

"But, at the end of the day, it doesn't always come down to money. It's man management and the attitude of the players you have at your disposal.

"It's an interesting time in non-league football and especially in the Blue Square North."