Andre Francis tips Rangers to go up

Andre Francis believes the current Stafford Rangers team can restore the club to the Blue Square North - but warns it will be tough in the Evo-Stik Premier League.

Rangers took the drop nine days ago and will be playing in non-league football's third tier for the first time since 1996.

But Player of the Year Francis - who, like everyone else, doesn't know whether he will be at Marston Road next season - believes the slide is only a temporary one.

The club's longest serving player is adamant the current squad have what it takes to be promoted.

He said: "As long as we stay positive and keeping plugging away next season, we have got a lot to learn but we can definitely get Stafford Rangers back to where they need to be.

"We are a good bunch of lads, there's a good vibe among us and, if we can get the fans back and start winning again, we can achieve miracles."

However, Francis has also warned Rangers will need to be at their best to go up from what is a tough division.

Matt Elliott's men will go up against the likes of FC United of Manchester, Worksop and Northwich next season, plus the reformed entity of Chester.

And Francis has admitted that it's going to take a big effort to match their rivals.

He said: "It's a tough league, there are teams who have fallen from grace and will be looking to do the same sort of thing we are trying to do.

"We haven't got a god-given right to be there, we can't just say we are Stafford Rangers and we will bounce straight back up, we have got to earn the right to play.

"When we get onto the pitch we got to do the stuff, the least we can do is put in 110 per cent in and get this club to where it needs to be."