NEIL Shillingford says confidence is key to Dudley Kingswinford's chances of success this season.

Maintaining the squad's new-found belief is high on the agenda for the Heathbrook director of rugby on the eve of the new campaign.

DK welcome Stoke this Saturday after back-to-back relegations have left them in Midlands One West.

However, Shillingford believes the team has now put that disappointment firmly in the past and is fully focused on bouncing back.

He said: "Everyone at the club is ready and looking forward to the new season. All we need to do is put the final touches to our preparations.

"It has been tough selecting the squad for the game and that is down to how well everyone has done during pre-season.

"It is a long season and those that don't make it early on should know that they still have the opportunity to force their way in.

"I won't be setting the team any targets for the season at this stage. We will look at it after the first four games and assess where we are. Only then will we begin to talk about our realistic aims going forwards.

"The most important thing for this team is to get that first win under their belts. It will be fantastic if it comes in the first game and we will be doing all we can to make that happen.

"Losing became a habit for the team after what happened in recent seasons and you have to get that firmly out of your system.

"I think there is now a quiet confidence about this team. They have drawn a line under what happened in the past.

"That has come from the new faces we have on the coaching side of things and the new methods they have introduced. It has rejuvenated everyone and they are ready to push on now."