GRANT Joshua hopes Rugby Town can ‘right the wrongs’ of last season after accepting a reprieve from relegation.
Valley belatedly discovered the FA had offered them a reprieve from relegation to Step Five after Hinckley Leicester Road withdrew from the Northern Premier League Midlands after entering voluntary liquidation.
And new Town boss Joshua wants Valley to grasp the opportunity handed to them with both hands.
Joshua said: “I’m absolutely delighted that the FA and the league came to their decision.
“It gives us an immediate but unexpected opportunity to right the wrongs from last season, and we know we need to kick on now and give our fanbase something to be really proud of.
“It’s always sad when a club suffers like this, but it means that we get to stay at Step Four in the pyramid – which I truly believe is the minimum that this club should be at.
“Most importantly, it’s great news for the supporters and for the club as a whole.
“The owners have been brilliant with us and we’ve also been blown away by the response from the fans on social media and elsewhere.
“It proves to us what we had thought before we arrived – that this club has massive potential, and we are determined to deliver on this.”
Valley’s reprieve might also mean influential player Harrison Nee remains with the club while Ryan Sahota and Liam Francis will now stay at Butlin Road next season.
Joshua added: “We’ve said from the start that we’re building a squad that would be Step Four-ready from the off.
“The vast majority that had already agreed to come are Step Four experienced players, so the news isn’t a really big deal on that front.
“There are still a few top-end targets that we’re trying to get over line, and hopefully the reprieve will help us succeed with those.”
The club have also changed two of their pre-season friendlies with games against Racing Club Warwick and Sutton Coldfield Town scapped.
Valley will instead play Leicester St Andrews on July 22 and OJM Black Country on July 26 at home.
