IN what has been a relentless march through the leagues, Warrington Rylands’ adjustments to higher levels have been akin to those of a duck taking to water.

However, they are surely about to face the biggest test of that adaptability yet.

A third promotion since 2018 - with an FA Vase win in between - sees them line up in the Northern Premier League’s top-flight for the first time in their history, starting tomorrow with the visit of Gainsborough Trinity.

> Click here to view Warrington Rylands' full fixture list for the 2022-23 campaign

Coming up against well-establish Step Three clubs – even full-time teams in the case of South Shields – will be new for everyone at Gorsey Lane, but they are determined to enjoy the experience.

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Warrington Rylands were crowned NPL West Division champions last season. Picture by Mark Percy

“We’re as ready as we can be,” manager Dave McNabb said.

“We’ve had a good pre-season – the lads we’ve brought in have fitted in well.

“We’ve had some good performances in friendlies but also some average and poor ones, but they can help answer a few things we maybe weren’t quite sure of.

“We planned pre-season to be as tough as we’ve ever had it because this season will be the toughest we’ve had as a football club.

“With any step up in league, it’s not just about ability. It’s about the desire, hunger and self-sacrifice.

“We’re going to come up against ex-pros and lads who have dedicated themselves to be at the level they’re at.

“We’re not under any illusions – we know it’s not going to be easy, but we’ve got a good group of players that are excited to get going.

“There is always an element of nervousness as you don’t want to be found short, but we should be excited.

“We’ve worked our socks off to get to this level and going in with any sort of fear factor around it is not advantageous.

“There’s no massive expectations around league position, so let’s go out and enjoy ourselves.”

Although long-serving skipper Graeme McCall has moved on, the core of the squad that secured FA Vase glory in 2021 and the NPL West Division title last season remains in place.

From promising young stars such as Kane Drummond – last year’s divisional player of the year – to vastly-experienced veterans like former South Africa international Dean Furman, there is a good blend in the dressing room.

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Last season's 19-goal top scorer Kane Drummond will be a key man for Rylands. Picture by Mark Percy

Add to that several solid-looking signings – goalkeeper Sam Tickle, defenders Aaron Morris, Josh Langley and Kyle Hayde, midfielders Jak McCourt and James Barrigan and frontman Ryan Brooke among them – and they appear to have a squad well set for their new challenge.

“We’ve got players who have been at the football club for a few years now,” McNabb said.

“Those lads are very special to us in terms of what they’ve achieved and they deserve a good crack at it. It’s important to have a good balance in the group.

“The younger lads feed off the more experienced boys and vice versa.

“If you’re going through a tough period, there’s so much value in having someone with 50-odd international caps around to put their arm around you.”

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Having first joined Warrington Rylands as joint-manager in 2018, Dave McNabb has taken charge of nearly 150 games in total. Picture by Mark Percy

In a season that will be full of exciting new fixtures, there is one that stands out among the crowd.

For the first time since both sides competed in the Mid-Cheshire League in the 1970s, Rylands are now operating at the same level as cross-town neighbours Warrington Town.

It is a game that is sure to attract a lot of attention locally, with large crowds expected at both fixtures – the sides meet at Cantilever Park on September 6 and Gorsey Lane on January 14.

“It’s one of the first fixtures you look out for and we’d be lying if we said it wasn’t. It’s probably the first competitive fixture between the clubs that’s really counted for anything,” McNabb said.

“It’s another showpiece game we’re looking forward to, but I don’t want to be going into it having not picked up any points.

“Ultimately, the game will take care of itself. I know there’s bragging rights but there’s only three points at stake.

“Hopefully, the derby can help both clubs in terms of getting more people through the door.”