Ben Mills' warning to Rangers boss

Departed striker Ben Mills has warned his old boss Greg Clowes that a settled side will be key to any promotion charge for Stafford Rangers.

Mills will not be a part of new manager Clewes' regime at Marston Road next season, after signing for Evo-Stik Premier League rivals Nantwich over the weekend.

But the 22-year-old played under the Rangers boss at Newcastle Town and also knows the pitfalls of the Evo-Stik pyramid, from his time in the Division One South with Leek.

Rangers took him into the Blue Square North in 2009 before they were relegated this summer, with manager Matt Elliott resigning and Clewes taking his place.

The new man at the helm has already imitated that he plans to bring a number of his players from Newcastle Town with him, who came close to promotion to the Evo-Stik Premier League last season.

And Mills believes a regular team will be vital at Rangers as they adapt to life at a different level next season.

He said: "It's a lot about work rate and effort, you have got to be strong mentally and have a good group that are going to stick together for a long period of time.

"You can't just have players for three or four games, you need a settled side to really challenge for it. That's the key to any promotion.

"The higher you go, you still get your better teams and they are slightly more organised and experienced, in depth as well, even in the lower leagues.

"The lower down you go, you still have got to be fit, compete and work hard, but the sides that drop down tend to be better on the technical and tactical side of the game.

"There are some massive teams in there, it's certainly not a given for any team to come straight back up."