WOOLSTON Rovers head coach John Fieldhouse says it will take “a special effort” to win promotion from the expanded National Conference League Division Three.

Rovers go into the 2017 season having seen the previous two campaigns end in play-off heartache, including a final defeat to Drighlington last year.

They open the new season at Oldham St Annes on Saturday, kick off 2.30pm, and ex-Great Britain international Fieldhouse says his side are “raring to go.”

“It is a tough start for us away at St Annes but we are really looking forward to the game,” he said.

“We have worked so hard since November in readiness for this game and we are raring to go.

“St Annes will be keen to get off to a good start themselves so it promises to be a really exciting encounter.

“With the league having expanded with an additional four teams it really is going to take a special effort to get where we want to be but we will be doing our utmost each week to achieve our goal.”