Town have lost one influential member of last season’s squad – goalkeeper Tom Taylor – but the signs are good they will be able to hold onto another key player.

All the focus was on leading scorer Tom Matthews when the club finished last term as runners-up in the Northern Counties East League Premier Division and reached the last 32 of the FA Vase.

He rattled in 45 goals, 36 of them in the league.

A host of clubs up to Conference League level were monitoring Matthews and rumours of bids were rife.

But if they have come in the player does not appear to have been tempted... so far.

Town chairman Ray McLoughlin said: “Having Tom come back with the others for pre-season training was a big one for us. There have been a lot of clubs looking at him.

“You can never tell with these things but we’re happy to have him back.

“We have lost our keeper Tom Taylor though. Ossett Town came in for him and he turned them down at first but they came back with an improved offer and he accepted that one.

“Paul (Quinn, manager) has brought Adam Lawlor in and he is also looking at the keeper in the development team. We are holding trials for that team because we need a strong side for the Lancashire League.”

After such a good season last time, Town expected interest in their players from clubs higher up the ladder and, while they will not stand in the way of anyone wanting to try his luck in a higher division, the club is hoping to see some loyalty.

“There is a really good team spirit here and we hope that will keep everybody together,” added McLoughlin.

“Not everyone is chasing money and we feel we have a happy family here.”