Vauxhall Motors chairman Alan Bartlam says that he is excited for the season ahead after the club bade an official farewell to the Conference North.

Motors’ appearance at the Football Conference AGM at Celtic Manor, Newport, on Saturday was their final act as a Conference North club before they begin life in the West Cheshire League from the start of next season.

The Rivacre Park side announced back in March that they would be resigning from the league at the end of the season owing to financial difficulties, but said that next season would mark a new beginning for the club and the start of a journey  to a more prosperous future.

“I’m quite excited as things are starting to happen now and plans are being put in place,” said Bartlam.

“Things are now starting to settle down financially and we are feeling really positive about the future.

“Since we announced our decision some months ago we have had some heartening comments from other clubs who have praised us for how we conducted ourselves while in the league and how we handled our resignation.”

Motors will be expected to be one of the top sides in the West Cheshire League next season, but Bartlam believes that it will be tough.

“It is a tough league nowadays and we will be a scalp for many teams,” he said.

“We’re expected to do well but we certainly won’t be taking anything for granted.”