PAUL Smith is ready to put into place his plans for the 2016-17 campaign in the Midlands Division One after positive talks with Bromsgrove Sporting’s board.

Smith, who secured the runner’s-up spot for the second year in a row despite recording more points compared to last year, is set to invite all of this year’s squad to return.

The Rouslers boss is well aware that many of his men will interest clubs from higher up but is keen make sure his key players remain.

He said: “The talks with the board were very positive and while I do have another meeting scheduled with them for next week, it’s clear we want to continue working together.

“I hope it’s a matter of dotting the i’s and crossing the t’s. I am already starting work on next season.

We have a number of players I firmly believe could play at one or two divisions higher and I want to get my work done nice and early and make sure they stay. I have have six or seven players I want to bring in to bolster the squad.

"I definitely want to keep 12 of our current squad and if the others show they want to be here next season that’s a bonus.

“I want us to go one better than last season and win the league.” Sporting’s league campaign ended with mid-week wins over Southam and Bolehall and a 2-0 loss at Cadbury Athletic on Saturday, as they finished second with 91 points. Smith added: “I am bitterly disappointed not to have won the league. Regardless of budgets I firmly believe we had built a squad to do the job. But we have recorded more points and the performances have also been better than last season.”

Bromsgrove complete the season in the Smedley Crooke Memorial Cup final at the Victoria Ground on Saturday (3pm ko) against Pilkintgton XXX.

“So far we’re trophy-less, so I want to make sure we rectify that and end the season on a high for our fans.”