BRADFORD Dudley Hill’s first team manager Steve Wright expects this season to be even more competitive than last in Division Two of the National Conference League, but he still feel the bookies have underestimated his side.

His side host Crosfields in the season opener on Saturday, an intriguing prospect given it was the visitors who took the final play-off spot last season, after Dudley Hill were docked points for fielding a banned player.

Wright feels the game will be a good marker for the year ahead, with his side also boosted by a trio of new signings.

He said: “We’ve signed on two players from other clubs and there’s a third about to join. We’ve not lost anyone that was playing in the first team at the end of last season either, so we’re in a good position.

“Crosfields should be a close game and it will give us a bit of a marker of where we’re at, as they will be there or thereabouts at the end of the year.

“We’ve shown that we’ve been competitive (in previous seasons) and I think the bookies are selling us short.

“We’re 18/1 to win the league so it could be worth a couple of quid each way on us this year.

“We didn’t give a good enough account of ourselves when we were in Division One in 2018. I think we’re good enough to get back up there but you’ve got to get the results to prove that.”

Addressing the competition for 2020, Wright said: “Wigan St Judes are the favourites (they finished third in 2019).

“But you’ve got a couple of good teams coming up like Hunslet Warriors, who seem to have found their feet again.

“Coming down there’s Dewsbury Moor, who we know well from playing them three pre-seasons in a row and Normanton Knights are back, which shows how teams do spike and drop at this level.

“It should be a bit more competitive than last year, but if we can maintain our home form throughout, that could prove crucial.”

Wright confirmed that this Saturday’s game would be dedicated to long-time club physio Dave Fairbairn, who sadly passed away last week.