"We won't be cellar dwellers this year,'' he promised.

Bartley has taken the reins of the Wildcats for the 2016 Football Mid North Coast Premier League. Last year Taree finished last in first and reserve grades - an unwanted first for the club.

This was a massive fall for a club that had been among the premier league heavyweights in recent years. This included premierships in 2009 and 2012 and a grand final appearance in 2011.

This year Bartley said the players are determined to make up for the disasters of 2015. While it's early days, he believes the club is well on way to achieving this goal.

"I said when we started that the culture would have to change within the club,'' he said.

"So far that's been the case.

"I couldn't be prouder of the players. They're keen, we're getting great numbers for training and people are ringing me to say they want to play. It's all positive.''

The club will welcome back star striker Ricky Campbell this year. Campbell had a successful season of rugby with the Manning Ratz last winter but told the Times last month he is keen to return to the round ball game.

"All the stalwarts are there,'' Bartley said.

"Troy Modderno, Ricky, Ben Sedlen, Jordan Howard and they've all been training well.''

He added that the club will have four former Football Mid North Coast NPL (National Premier League) under 17 players this year.

"They're mixing in with the club really well and they'll all be pushing for a first gade spot,'' Bartley said.

"They'll bring a different style of football to the club,'' he said.

However, Bartley stressed that no player is guaranteed a place in first grade this year.

"I've told everyone that,'' he said.

"The first grade team will be named on merit and form.''

He added there appears to be more depth in the club this year and is confident the Wildcats will be thereabouts in both grades when it counts later in the year.

The Wildcats will play in the opening round of the Australia-wide FFA Cup at Tuncurry's South Street field tomorrow against Tuncurry-Forster from 4pm. Wallis Lake and Port FC will meet in the earlier game starting 2pm.

Taree will be without five players - including Campbell - because of commitments to other sports. Still, Bartley said it will be an important hit out for the squad.

"We'll be a mixture of first and reserve grade,'' Bartley said.

"I don't know what Tuncurry-Forster will have or how they're placed with other sports, but we should have a competitive side.

Bartley was due to name his side last night at training.

He was also to nominate the club captain for the year and he wasn't giving any hints as to who that may be.

While he's looking for a strong showing tomorrow, he pointed out the competition-proper doesn't start until early April.

By then he's confident the Wildcats will have developed a combination that will be among the more formidble in the league.