Bishop Auckland has started pre-season training at the West Mills ground, with former first 15 captain Mark McNair as club coach.

The club is aiming for promotion after finishing fifth in the Durham and Northumberland third division last season. Paul Fletcher was the only player who appeared in all 28 first XV matches. Three under-19s turned out for the firsts and produced highly satisfactory performances.

The second XV also finished in fifth place in the Tees Valley Social League. They also experienced selection problems, sometimes being reduced to only 10 or 11 players, but such was the spirit and enthusiasm in the squad they played 23 matches and are likewise determined to do better this season.

Simon Blanch was declared first XV Player of the Year and Danny Ross second XV Player of the Year at the club's annual dinner-dance and presentation night in the West Mills clubhouse. Blanch scored 24 tries in 27 games, while Ross's efforts for the seconds saw him force his way into the firsts for whom he turned out 11 times.

Most committee members were re-elected at the club's AGM. Chairman Keith Wilkinson has now taken over as county representative. Simon Blanch is membership secretary, and John Windass has taken on the role of social secretary.

Peter Sayer has been elected first XV captain, and Paul Mapes and Steven Colwell are the players' representatives.

The rugby club is asking members and supporters to make interest-free loans to help the club overcome its financial problems. "The club is in a very difficult financial situation," said treasurer Ron Williamson.

"Although we have renegotiated our loan with the Bank, the gradual fall-off in bar takings over the past three to four years has left us struggling to satisfy out creditors and remain solvent.

"That we are still trading is due largely to short term loans from committee members. It is essential that we establish a working capital fund from which we can draw when necessary and restore when possible. All loans received would be properly recorded and would be redeemable at a month's notice," said Williamson.