TOM Baker is happy to bide his time as he looks to build on Trafford's eighth place next season.

The manager led his squad to a creditable final spot in the Evo-Stik First Division North, but perhaps more importantly, brought a definite stability to the club after relegation from the Premier Division.

And although he expects to be busy on the recruitment front the former Barnsley, Altrincham and Halifax midfielder suspects most of his business to take place later in the summer.

“This summer holds a lot of hard work for me, it’ll be a busy period because we don’t ever really stop,” he said. “I would like to keep as many of the squad together as I can, I’m happy with the way we finished the season and looking to get a few more in. How many and who they will be I don’t know yet because Trafford is a fantastic club but resources-wise we are very limited.

“I think people on the outside perhaps don’t realise what a tough league we are in, especially when you’re not a club that can throw money around.

“I can’t have a list of transfer targets, that’s a luxury I don’t have so I’ll have to wait.”

Baker made major changes to the squad since he came to Shawe View a year ago this week. Around enough players to form a team were moved on with just a handful remaining.

Once a host of new recruits bedded in, the North racked up some excellent results despite having to contend with their rivals' greater resources.

Trafford's heady mix of established squad members and new faces gelled to go on an unbeaten league run throughout January and February and Baker has already shown a flair for bringing in talent.

“I think Lee Neville was a real coup for us, he’s made a real difference and Kyle Jacobs and Josh Granite too,” added Baker, who presented Jacobs with the player-of-the-year prize at the club's end-of-season awards.

“Two lads from the previous squad, Chris Palmer and Chris McDonagh, have been excellent as well, Chris McDonagh scored something like 19 or 20 goals so I’ve been pleased with their contribution too.”

“I put this season’s success down to a lot of hard work from everyone involved and great dedication from the players.”

If Baker can snap up a few more for his squad a return to the Premier Division could yet be on the cards, despite them being stacked against Trafford.