NEW Rugby Town boss Grant Joshua remains in a bullish mood despite confirmation Valley would not receive a reprieve from relegation to Step Five.
The provisional league allocations released by the FA see Town returning to the United Counties League Premier Division South for the 2025/26 campaign.
However, newly-appointed Valley boss Joshua insists he and his coaching staff are already on full systems go preparing for the new season.
Joshua said: “The work’s well underway on getting a new squad together.
“We’ve always said regardless of where we end up in the pyramid that it wouldn’t affect the plan at all, as we’re building a team strong enough to challenge at Step Four even if we ultimately have to start a level below that next season.
“We’ve got loads of meetings with current and prospective players before the end of May, and I’m confident that we can field an exciting line-up for the fans and bring success back to the club again.
“Hopefully it will be chalk and cheese from what the supporters saw last season, and we can put together something for them to be really impressed by and proud to come and watch.”
Joshua guided former club Coleshill Town to the Walsall Senior Cup final this season which they went on to win against Darlaston Town in midweek.
The 37-year-old previously guided Lye Town to Step Four in 2023 and helped Coleshill to a ninth-place finish at the same level last season.
And Joshua insists he does not see the switch from Coleshill to Valley as a backwards step in his managerial career.
His regular backroom staff of Chris Rabone and Ross Harris have joined him in the Butlin Road dugout.
Joshua added: “With no disrespect to where I have been previously, the potential here at Rugby is immense and we firmly believe that there’s a genuine opportunity to go through the leagues over the coming few years.
“With the existing infrastructure, ownership and fan base alongside the general feel of the town, it is exactly the project that we’ve been looking for and we can’t wait to get going.
“We’ve been together for more than 20 years in various environments – through college, university, at both previous clubs and now here.
“We have always worked together as a package, and if I hadn’t been able to bring Chris and Ross with me, then it’s unlikely that I would have come to the club.
“We are all really excited by the challenge ahead and we know that to have been given the chance to manage a club of this stature and potential at our ages is a great opportunity for us all.
“We know that we’re still learning our trade though, but we’re determined to continue improving and keep the achievements coming.
“We all believe that it’s important that there’s a local feel to what we are trying to do here and that the fans are able to see that and relate to it.
“The upcoming player meetings will all be held at the club so that we can showcase the excellent facilities to them.
“I’m hoping that we will end up with a balance of players that have played here before, those that we’ve worked with previously and some brand new, real quality additions on top of that too.”
