FA VASE specialists Clitheroe will be hoping to make a big impression on the competition again this season - although manager Lee Sculpher would rather it was played down a bit.

The Blues reached the final of the competition in 1996, reached the quarter-finals in 1998 and last season and reached the semis two years ago.

Everyone at the club would dearly love to win it this year but Sculpher says that must come second to the NWCL first division.

"Obviously we will be hoping to do well but our priority must be to finish as high up the league as possible," he said.

"Anything else is a bonus but because we have done so well in the competition in the past, the crowd and committee look to it with more optimism than at other clubs."

Sculpher has re-signed virtually the whole squad from last season and has added two left-sided players which he hopes will provide more balance.

But he is still looking to strengthen in the centre of midfield as regular pair Neil Reynolds (cruciate ligament) and Carl Greenwood (broken leg) are out for at least six months.

Where the Blues are still strong is up front where Lee Cryer and Neil Spencer will again be on the attack.

"Hopefully they will score 25 or 30 goals apiece and if they do I fancy us to be up there," said Sculpher.

Clitheroe kick off the season against Prescot Cables after which there will be a chairman's barbecue to raise money for the club.

New chairman Dave Burgess - who was manager to Sculpher's assistant just a year ago - has taken the top job permanently this summer.

"He is doing well, organising events off the field and he has been very supportive of me and the team and has tried to get us what we require."

And what Sculpher requires is a team capable of winning NWCL Division One and getting promoted to the UniBond League.

"That is what we want and we have the ground to do it - as long as the league don't move the goalposts again."

IN: Simon Garner (Great Harwood), Paddy Lauber (Rossendale)

OUT: Andrew Taylor (retired)

LAST SEASON: 5th

ONE TO WATCH: Lee Cryer - '30-goal a season striker'