AMBITIOUS Bewdley Town are priding themselves on being the third biggest football club in Wyre Forest, according to their boss.

Craig Payton is assembling his squad for a promotion push in the new West Midlands League Division One set-up.

The club are also busy improving their facilities at the Ribbesford Meadows base with new changing rooms and hard standing for supporters.

With Bewdley set to charge a small entrance fee for home matches, football will certainly be taken more seriously in the town.

Payton has added stalwart Dave Knight and former Cradley Town man Brian Lacey to his management team.

He said: "We have been one of the four top sides in the old Division One South. The new league's going to be hard but we will now be training twice a week.

"Our chairman Geoff Edwards has done a brilliant job for Bewdley. It's been three months of hard work for him but he has never let the club down and has pushed to get us to this status."

Payton will lose the experienced trio of John Maffei, Steve Mares and Keith Elliot who are not keen on the extra travelling involved.

But former Wyre Forest Brintons men Sam Poutney and Lewis Poutney, a midfielder and forward, have signed.

Much sought-after striker Chris Hough is attracting Stourport Swifts and Stourbridge but Payton added: "He has said he will speak to me before making any decision."

Bewdley's friendlies will include an attractive home game with Midland Alliance side Stourbridge and players return to training on Tuesday from 6.30pm.