'Players have to show lots of character, but we won't be throwing in the towel...'

LEE Ridgway insists he'll fight tooth and nail to revive Longton’s fortunes after their poor start to the NSSCL Premier A season.

- Chris Travers

Longton have lost all three matches so far to sit bottom of the standings - and are already 22 points adrift of safety.

Ridgway was appointed club captain in the winter following the departure of previous incumbent Tom Steele to Porthill Park.

And his hand was further weakened when Alex Coates and Archie and Freddie Doorbar all switched to top-flight rivals Audley.

Longton went on a recruitment drive, but it’s been a testing start for Ridgway and his players... and they have managed to pick up just 14 points in the opening three weeks.

It’s already looking as though it could be a long summer for Longton, but Ridgway says there’s no way he’s writing off his side’s chances of preserving their Premier A status.

"It's 100 per cent tougher than I expected it to be," he said. "It’s a case of us being realistic and honest. I’m long enough in the tooth to do that.

"Looking around, I can’t say that we're not good enough, I have to be positive and get some character into the players.