THE dust hasn't settled on the football season yet - but Morecambe and Lancaster City are already planning for the next campaign.
Both Jim Harvey at Morecambe and Lancaster City manager Phil Wilson are talking up what their teams will be looking to do come August and the start of the 2004-05 season.
The Shrimps ended their season with a Christie Park draw against bogey team Shrewsbury Town.
That left them in seventh place in the Nationwide Conference - and just three points short of a place in the play-offs.
But bullish Jim Harvey says "We have been on the fringe of the promotion race and knocking on the door but we are now aiming much higher. Andy Mutch and I are demanding a place in the Football League."
Three players have been released by Morecambe - Dave McKearney, Jamie Murphy and Shaun Garnett - while the future of skipper Stewart Drummond is still in the balance.
Drummond is out of contract but Harvey is hoping to persuade him to stay despite siren voices from other clubs. And he says he is also on the verge of signing several other players.
Harvey himself is expected to sign a new contract soon.
Meanwhile, at Giant Axe, Dolly Blues manager Phil Wilson is equally buoyant, saying of last season: "We had a lot more highs than lows and, in probably the most competitive season in the history of the league, I feel very pleased with our final placing. Let's hope we can build on what we have done."
He says he is aware he needs to strengthen for the challenge of the new Conference North coming up next season and adds: "With some additions to the squad over the summer I am sure we will be competitive."
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