It hasn't been an easy close season for Rochdale Hornets. The sudden death of their long-serving and immensely popular Chairman Ray Taylor, quickly followed by the departure of inspirational player-coach Bobbie Goulding, left the club in a temporary state of uncertainty.

Now they appear to have found their feet. Hornets have a new Chairman in David Vining, and a board of directors keen to push the club into a new era.

Their first major coup was the appointment of Goulding's successor, former Hornets’ player Darren Abram to the club, they will start the intriguing 2006 NL1 campaign as the only club coached by somebody who has won a Grand Final at this level

Abram guided Leigh Centurions into Super League at his first attempt before things went awry at the Coliseum, and his experience in the National Leagues will be invaluable to Hornets as they attempt to bridge the financial gap of some of their big-name peers.

Abram inherited a squad from Goulding that was close to completion, and one that made the play-offs in 2005. There were already a handful of key additions, with highly-rated Harlequins scrum half Lee Sanderson and pacy centre Lee Patterson joining the club.

Former Hornets James Bunyan and Danny Wood had returned to the club, and would later be joined by the enigmatic Casey Mayberry.

Abram also brought in a trio of props in Matt Sturm, Paul Norman and Ryan Benjafield, which will help to compensate for an early injury to another new player John Pickersgill.

Young second rower Craig Robinson has joined after one Super League game at Wakefield, while Keighley's Matt Firth will help provide depth and competition for places at halfback.

"When I took the job, what I said was that with the budget that Rochdale were working with, Bobbie had done a very good job to retain the players that he had," Abram says.

"Going to the club, there was already a base of players to work with. Some of them haven't really fulfilled their potential over the last couple of seasons from what I've seen, but they are all very enthusiastic, want to learn and I still want an out-and-out stand-off, and if I get that, we will be pretty much there with the finances we’ve got.

"There is also a structural change at the club off the field, after the sad deaths of both Ray Taylor and (former chief executive) Paul Reynolds.

"But I have to say that the board, in my short time in charge, have been very helpful and done everything I've asked of them.

"There are changes on and off the field at Rochdale, but everything seems to be coming together nicely." Abram is well aware, however, of the size of the challenge that lies ahead in National League One. "The three teams that are full-time Widnes, Leigh and Hull KR - are going to be the driving force in the division, and will be looking to stamp their authority on the season", he says

"Then there are other clubs like Whitehaven. When you look at what they've achieved over the last couple of seasons, and add in four players that I know very well in John Duffy. Oliver Wilkes. Steve Maden and Rob Jackson, they will be a force.

"Those are four players that I would take to any club, whether in the National Leagues or Super League, because I know what they bring on and off the field.

"Halifax have strengthened and spent a lot of money, and if you look at the newcomers coming into the league in York, they've made some very good signings and going to their stadium is always tough.

"You could say that there are three divisions within one. "There are the full-timers, then the part-timers with a good budget, and then teams that haven't got those budgets – like Rochdale, Oldham and Batley."

So bearing all of that in mind, what would constitute a successful first season in charge for Abram?

"If we make the play-offs then we've done excellent, considering the full-time teams, higher budgets and the extra quality of player they can bring in", he says

"What we have got going here, and what was here last year by all accounts, is a real good team spirit and work ethic, and you can't knock that.

"Every night in training the players are shaking hands, patting each other on the back and enjoying working hard."