DAVE King says Tividale are a club heading in the right direction after a pleasing end to 2017.

Dale go to Smethwick this Saturday looking to end the year on a high note before maintain their West Midlands Premier League promotion push in the new year.

King is pleased with how his players have progressed this season to get Tivi moving forwards again.

He said: "Things were looking very different a year ago. The club has suffered two relegations and was on a downward spiral.

"It has now cemented itself and is again making progress in the right direction.

"We are in a really good place with a talented squad of players that is improving all the time and working hard for each other.

"We're not looking down anymore. The progress this season means we are finally looking ahead again.

"Smethwick is going to be another tough game for us in heavy conditions but hopefully we can end the year well.

"We'll take it one game at a time but it would be great if we could have a strong start to the new year and see where it takes us."

King has taken even more satisfaction from Tividale's table-topping form this season due to the amount of cash other league rivals are splashing to find success.

He added: "There are a lot of teams playing big money at this level and a few teams paying three figures sums.

"We don't have that sort of budget at Tividale and have instead stuck with a settled squad of players.

"It makes it all the more satisfying to be where we are this season."

Tivi will start 2018 by welcoming Hereford Lads Club to the Beeches on January 6 (3pmkick-off).