LIVERSEDGE have come through the woods and are looking forward to the future – which is a nice feeling, according to manager Jonathan Rimmington.

The Sedge boss has steered the club while they sailed through choppy waters and has set a good course.

Yet he will be relieved that he can now concentrate solely on football matters, which might lighten his mood but won't affect his determination to be successful.

"The club has turned a massive corner and is a lot more stable now than it has been in my time here," said Rimmington.

"On the pitch we've got a group of lads who will fight for each other and are hungry. We've got some good players and we're not a million miles away.

"I'm not saying we're going to win the league but we'll give a good account of ourselves. We've got a bigger, stronger side and we look more powerful – but we'll still play football my way.

"We did well at the start of last season but the second half was a slow decline. This season will be different and teams will not like playing against us. We'll be a handful and sides will be wary of us."

Another sponsor is on board and that will ease the burden of the financial hand to mouth of the day-to-day running.

Rimmington will not have a windfall to add to his playing budget but that is not what he wants, as he expects his players to play for pride and the love of the club. If there are any rewards, they will come later.

Ahead of today's journey north to face Sunderland RCA in the FA Cup, the manager said: "Corpad, a local company, are putting a bit of money in each week, so that goes a long way, and the club is flying compared to where it has been in recent times.

"The boss of the new sponsors, who are a pension provider, accountancy and financial services firm, has really got involved.

"He's put the money up for the team bus to Sunderland, he's given us a lump sum win bonus for the tie to aim for and the company is setting up a bonus paid to the player of the month throughout the season.

"I'm in talks with him about that one because I'd like to see 75 per cent paid to the player of the month and 25 per cent on offer for the player that comes second. It would spread it around and give more incentive to the squad.

"Either way it's very generous of the company and something new to the club."