DERBY AC will again try to beat the odds as they prepare for a new season back at the highest level they have reached in British athletics.

Promoted last season, Derby have returned to British Athletics League Division Two, where they previously had two seasons before being relegated.

The club regrouped and bounced back at the first attempt last season, clinching promotion in the fourth and final meeting of the season on their home track at Moorways.

This time, Derby launch the season at home, next Sunday, June 6. Further meetings will follow at Leeds, Kingston on Thames and at the Linford Christie Stadium in London's Hammersmith & Fulham district.

Long-serving team captain and former Olympic hurdler Phil Harries is under no illusions about the task ahead.

"We'll be competing against clubs who are able to pay athletes, basically," said Harries.

"We can't do that – we have to rely on having a good reputation for looking after athletes. We do have that reputation and we do attract athletes. And we want athletes to join us for the right reasons."

Several already have, with Cardiff University-based duo Fran Baker and John Hornblow persuading two more Cardiff-based men, sprinter Chris Hill and triple-jumper Adam Williams, to compete as first-claim members for Derby this year.

Like all other clubs, Derby also make as much use as possible of the "higher competition" athlete loan scheme, which allows talented athletes from smaller clubs to compete for bigger clubs on a second-claim basis.

Under the scheme, Chesterfield & District AC pole vaulter Danny Passey will return to compete for Derby again this season after trying his luck in the BAL Premier Division with Trafford AC last year.

Hull multi-eventer Lewis Stead and Lincoln steeplechaser Tom Doe will also compete for Derby under the scheme this season.

But there will be no resentment from the local athletes about the influx, according to Harries.

"Our lads are all extremely grateful to see them," he said.

"We've not quite got the depth we need yet in home-grown athletes and, anyway, all the other clubs are doing it, so we'd be at a disadvantage if we didn't."

In any case, Derby also have plenty of young home-grown talent ready to make an impact in Division Two and the strength in depth is coming along, especially in middle distance running.

"For example, we have a lot of people running under two minutes for 800 metres who can't get in our BAL team," said Harries.

Among those, teenager Niall Maguire (pictured) will be aiming to make an impact this year, while Chellaston School student JJ Heath will be expected to continue his progress, along with sprinter Judah Simpson, 3000 metre runners Josh Bull and Ben Connor, javelin thrower Ryan Winson and long jumper Jamie Turner, who is already leaping 6.42m at the age of 15.

Harries believes there is now enough talent around to ensure that Derby will not be compromised by the fact that there is also a Northern League age group meeting at Moorways next Saturday, the day before the BAL meeting.

"We certainly won't be weakened by that," said Harries.

"We'll try to avoid any crossover. My aim is to have enough people in the BAL squad not to have to ask the Northern League athletes to help out. We should fill both teams without the need for doubling up."

It might, however, mean yet another season of club competition for the 44-year-old captain.

"I hoped I wouldn't have to race in the BAL this year," added Harries, who competed in the 400m hurdles at the 1988 Seoul Olympics.

"I'll probably do a B event in the first meeting to help out but I really won't be a major player at 44!"

Attracting sponsorship to help cover the expenses of a nationally-based league, with overnight stops for the two southern meetings, is proving the biggest headache for Harries.

He drew a blank in a bid to get any last season and knows that the financial climate remains difficult.

"We're asking the question again and we're not expecting sponsorship for nothing," he said.

"We can wear companies' T-shirts and provide links on the club's website, that sort of thing.

"It would be nice for our efforts to be recognised and to get a little help."