LEIGH RMI's management duo of Stuart Humphreys and his assistant Andy Roscoe have been promised a bigger budget for the new season.

The Railwaymen escaped relegation from the Conference North with victory on the last day of the season but RMI hope that fears of the drop will be a thing of the past with more money available to strengthen the squad.

Considering Leigh had the smallest budget in the Conference North last season, avoiding relegation was an achievement in itself.

Now if more cash is made available then a play-off spot will be the goal.

RMI spokesman Stan Walker said: "More resources will be made available as we are aiming for a more competitive squad.

"Last season we built a competitive team but not a competiitve squad, consequently, when two or three players were out, we suffered. We are looking to build on that next season with 16 or 17 first team players, with our talented reserves emerging into the squad.

"We want to get into a competitive position because this is our last season at Hilton Park and we want to be a Conference side. We are under no illusions, however, as the North will be a stronger division than last season. The five newcomers are all tough sides.

"We are talking to four players and hope to make signings soon."