LONGTON have been boosted by the return of flying winger Chris Tenucci for their second season in National League Three Midlands.

Tenucci, a medical student at Keele University, made a big impact with Longton two years ago, but left when his course took him to Shrewsbury.

Tenucci played for Stourbridge in National League One last season, but is back at Keele for his final year and will give Longton an extra cutting edge.

Longton have also recruited Luke Fowles (Macclesfield) and Zak Heath and Aaron Horne (Stoke), while Rob Bentley and Josh Powell are keen to test themselves in stepping up from the junior ranks with Linley and Kidsgrove.

Another boost to the backs is the return of Ben Robson from Loughborough University.

On the debit side are the loss of former skipper Joel Booth and Ben Grocott to Burton.

Skipper Gareth Rawlings said: "We dipped towards the end of last season to finish sixth, but this time we have our sights on the top three.

"We still have a young squad, but there is more competition for places. Some people got complacent last year and we struggled when we were hit by injuries."

Longton kick-off on Saturday against promoted Old Northamptonians at Trentham Fields, which has developed beyond being just a centre of excellence for rugby in the last two years.

The Staffordshire senior and under-18s squads use the facilities for training while the club's football pitch is used, among others, by Trentham Romans, Penkhull FC, Stoke Rams, Britannia Spitfires and Bradwell Belles.

Summer American football team Staffordshire Surge have made Trentham Fields their home and plans are in hand to launch a running club for males and females.

The floodlit 3G artificial turf pitch is used by a number of football clubs, as well as the Stoke City Academy.

"We are entering our third season at Trentham Fields and have achieved many of the initial goals in establishing the facility as a multi sports, community and business centre," said chairman Mick Wheat.

"Future plans include forging closer links with ex-pupils of Longton High School. The club was previously known as Old Longtonians and retains many links with the old school."

"The new headquarters has tremendous potential to become a major sporting, community and business centre in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent."

TRENTHAM kick off their season in South Lancs/Cheshire Two at home to Holmes Chapel, while LINLEY and KIDSGROVE start at Knutsford in Division Three.

Linley bring in Carl Booth at scrum-half, while Darren Goldspink and Ricky Bentley are selected in the pack.