SWINDON College Old Boys are not underestimating the size of the challenge in front of them as they look to recruit for the new Southern Counties North season.

Mark Lea’s side earned a step up in division after finishing second in the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Premier Division last season.

With pre-season training beginning next week, Lea is keen to add strength-in-depth to his squad as he looks to build on the feel good feeling in the club.

“We look like we are recruiting well over the close season,” said Lea.

“A lot of players who used to play for us, and also those who play for local clubs and are a little bit disheartened by their current teams, have approached us and we haven’t had to go out and recruit (players) as such.

“The one thing I know about the league above is that it will be much more physical and we’ll come across fitter, bigger teams.

“That is going to take its toll on the players and you have to be able to rotate players in and out to give them a rest from the demands of that level of rugby.’’ He added: “The team and club spirit that was built over the past season; that reverberates around local clubs and local players and people want to be part of that.

“That is what we are experiencing at the moment.”

Things are moving well for the club off the pitch as well, with the Pipers Way outfit securing a sponsorship deal with Pebley Beach (Swindon car dealership) and plans for a new clubhouse on the Wichelstowe development moving forward.

The club have also secured the services of strength and fitness coach Josh Law, who was working with the academy at Bath last year.

Lea hopes that building off the field will aid his side in what he is predicting to be a tough season but he has vowed not to change the way his team plays.

“Every game next season is a cup final. You saw what happened to Supermarine and there is always the danger of that happening to any club that go up a league,” added Lea.

“The gulf in difference between the two leagues is vast, but I am confident we can hold our own.

“I think there will probably be three or four teams at the top who will run away with it but we have got to target a finish in the top half of the table at least and see how we are after four or five games and re-evaluate it.

“I wouldn’t approach any game other than to go and win it.

“That is our style and how we like to play.”

The club’s pre-season training programme begins tomorrow night (June 16) at 7pm at Ridgeway School and for more information, visit pitchero.com/clubs/swindoncollegeoldboys.