Otley RUFC are busy preparing for the start of their league season in National One and in particular the visit of NEC Harlequins on Saturday, September 10.

Advance match tickets are now on sale to the general public for this game with tickets priced at £12 for ground admission and £8 for concessions.

Entrance to the grandstand is an extra £2. This is payable on entrance to the stand.

The club strongly advises people who wish to attend this prestigious and historic game to purchase their tickets in advance to avoid any unnecessary delays at the turnstiles.

Car parking will be limited on the ground to the outer car park as the inner car park will be closed to ensure adequate circulation of spectators within the confines of Cross Green.

However, the usual parking facility at Craftsman Tools in Bremner Street opposite the ground will be available.

Tickets for the Harlequins game can be purchased from club secretary Marc Lawrence during office hours or by forwarding a cheque made payable to Otley RUFC to the club office in Cross Green, Otley.

Tickets will also be on sale when Otley open their National One programme at home to Bedford Blues on Saturday, September 3.

Marc Lawrence can be contacted on 01943 461180 or 07949 272434.

Otley have lost three players in Neil Taylor (London Welsh), Ed Thorpe (Blaydon - prior to moving to New Zealand) and Chris Hall (Sedgley Park) but they have made a major signing in Chris Hyndman, a centre from Northampton, who is a quality player with considerable Premiership experience.

Otley have also recruited a couple of players from junior clubs.

President Gordon Baines said: "The good news is that we have managed to retain players despite a lot of interest in them from other clubs.

"We also have a bonus in that we have second row Howard Parr and prop Steve Trethewey both available for the whole season after their postings with the Forces restricted them previously.

"Our ambitions are obviously to stay in this division. If we finish third from the bottom we would be delighted, but if you believe that you believe anything, we are aiming for a much higher placing!"

"We kick-off against Bedford at home on September 3 and this is followed by a mouth watering clash with the glamour boys of English rugby - Harlequins. They may have been relegated but they have kept all their international players such as British Lion Will Greenwood and they have a superb new signing in Andrew Mehrtens who is one of the greats of All Blacks rugby but you can be assured, Otley will not be lying down in this or any other game."