Some Dewsbury Rams players took a pay cut to remain with the club, reveals chairman Mark Sawyer

The Rams have entered preparations for the 2021 season, which is due to start at the end of February.

The club has built a strong side as they look to improve on their promising start from the 2020 campaign.

Some players had offers from other clubs but despite the interest from elsewhere, Sawyer felt this has been the easiest year for re-signing players.

“Lee wanted to keep the whole squad, if he could, but we had concerns there because we knew there was interest in two or three of our players.

“I thought we might have had a task ahead to keep them on board.

“Me and Lee both spoke to the players and in all the years I have been at Dewsbury, I have never experienced an easier re-recruitment of players and many of them agreed to take a contributory reduction in their pay next season.

“Just to make sure the club was secure.”

Funds are available to add more players to the side but Sawyer feels the current squad looks strong heading into next season.

He added: “We seem to have a very, very solid squad. We do need to fill one or two areas and we may bring loan players in but there are funds there.

“The squadbuilder money is there as well from last year. Lee is determined to bring the right people in and not panic buy.

“We have got our eye on two or three decent players at the moment who we will enter into negotiations with.”