CARL Adams admits the 2023/24 campaign was ‘tougher than expected’ for his side after Rugby Town secured survival on the final day of the season.
Adams signed a new one-year-deal with the club after clinching safety in the Northern Premier League Midlands following promotion the previous season.
Valley ended the season unbeaten in their last five league matches and Adams hopes his side can build on that form next term.
Adams said: “We knew beforehand it was likely to be a tough season and it ended up even tougher than expected.
“I accept that at times we were poor, but we didn’t have the best of fortune with injuries to key players at key times either. I also think we were on the wrong end of a fair few crucial decisions too – which didn’t help.
“However, in that final month we showed that we could be competitive in this league, and we will be looking to build on that next time round.”
Adams insists he needs to build a stronger squad ahead of the 2024/25 campaign with Valley determined to avoid another relegation battle.
Adams added: “I have sat down with the owners and we know we need to put together a better squad to be able to make the progress we all desperately want to achieve.
“We know how difficult that will be, as player recruitment will be very competitive due to the number of teams around the area, but we are all committed to the project, and the challenges and landscape we have to work with to be successful are understood.”
The Valley boss has now taken charge of 230 games at Butlin Road since joining the club in the summer of 2018.
He said: “I love it here and I’ve always said my objective is to get the club playing at a level that the facilities and the town deserve.
“The vast majority of the fans have been very supportive of me in my six years here, and I would like to thank them for this.
“They were amazing in that final game at Boldmere and hopefully we can give them even more to cheer about come August and beyond.”
Adams also confirmed the club had contract options on some of last season’s squad and discussions would commence with players over the coming weeks, but also reiterated the need to strengthen with new signings.
Adams said: “It’s difficult to get players to commit, as there are all kinds of silly offers flying around at this point in the cycle, but we all agree that we need to add extra quality to the squad and also understand the implications and expectations that this brings.”
