Rich Prewer is a realist.

Despite the excitement at the end of last season when Cheltenham North clinched promotion from Gloucestershire One with almost the last kick of the campaign, the club’s president knows there are tougher times ahead.

They are preparing for life in Gloucestershire Premier with Prewer admitting that this season is all about consolidation at the higher level.

“It’s going to be a really tough season,” said Prewer. “There are some good sides in the division, really strong. A successful season for us is to stay up.”

And it’s easy to see why Prewer is being cautious because even though they clinched the second promotion spot in thrilling style with a 23-22 win over champions Ross-on-Wye there certainly are some seriously good clubs in the division.

Berry Hill, Cheltenham Saracens, Chosen Hill, Frampton Cotterell, Hucclecote, Longlevens, Old Richians, Ross-on-Wye, St Mary’s Old Boys, Whitehall and Widden Old Boys make up the rest of the division but while they will clearly provide North with many stern tests over the next eight months, Prewer insists that the North are not going into the new season just to make up the numbers.

Lasts season’s dramatic finale helped stoke the feelgood factor that was already returning to the club but Prewer, who took on the role of president last season, says that it’s not just the feelgood factor that is back.

“We’ve got a bit of fire in our bellies again,” he said. “We’ve not always had that in past seasons and that old North spirit is back. We’re competing again and I couldn’t be more pleased. Yes, it will be tough this season but we’ve got the desire back.”

Like pretty much every rugby club in Gloucestershire and beyond, the North would like more players and one of Prewer’s aims is to establish a regular 2nd XV again this season.

Back in the day when Prewer, a second row, was in his prime in the 80s and early 90s, the North were regularly fielding four teams on a Saturday afternoon.

Those days would appear to have long gone and Prewer concedes that the club have not got as much strength in depth as they would like.

“There are so many local clubs competing for players,” he said. “Cheltenham, Smiths, Old Pats, Saracens, Bredon, Tewkesbury and Longelvens are just down the road. They are all really good clubs but it’s a big ambition of mine to have a regular 2nd XV.”

And Prewer is happy to back up his words with deeds because he added: “If need be I’ll pull on a shirt myself, I’m nearly 60 but I think it’s that important.

“Some of our Colts are old enough to play in men’s rugby. They need games and it’s key to us moving the club forward. We’ve got to keep the continuity going.”

Prewer says that if he does have to dig out his boots again he’ll “try to hide in the second row”, but while the rugby is still the most important thing at a club that was formed 114 years ago, there is much more to the club than that.

“It’s about the social side as well,” said Prewer, “it’s about using the facilities at Stoke Orchard.”

And that’s not just on a Saturday afternoon. The club already have a thriving junior section and they’re planning to field a ladies’ team this season as well.

Prewer is a big supporter but even if the ladies do find themselves short of players, he insists he won’t be playing for them!