SEDGLEY Tigers coach Geoff Roberts believes the re-signing of hooker Jonny Matthews from Championship side Rotherham could prove the difference as the club aims to win promotion next season.

The 22-year-old returns to Park Lane following a disappointing season at the Yorkshire outfit looking to replicate his impressive debut campaign with the Tigers.

Combining pace, power and skill, Matthews led from the front scoring tries at will in his first season at Park Lane and Roberts believes he is the sort of player the Whitefield club, who finished in third place in National League Two North last year, needs if they are to finish in the top two this time around.

“He didn’t really get the chances he was hoping to get at Rotherham,” he said.

“We had the opportunity to bring him back to Park Lane and we took it.

“If he can rekindle his form again he might well be the player who makes the difference for us and helps us gain promotion this season.”

The Tigers, who were named Lancashire’s club of the year last week, have been handed a tough start to the new campaign, which gets under way on September 5.

For the second year running, the Park Lane outfit entertain Broadstreet on the opening day before heading to league new boys South Leicester on September 12.

Relegated Tynedale visit Park Lane a week later before the Tigers end September with a trip to rivals Otley.

Other notable fixtures see the Tigers host newly-promoted near neighbours Sale FC for the first time on November 28 with the return trip controversially scheduled for the Easter weekend, while a festive hot pot derby against Preston Grasshoppers takes place on December 19.

Overall Roberts is happy with the opening games but hopes the Sale fixture on March 26 is pushed back to early April to allow for an Easter break.

“We’ve got a good mix of games and it’s a fairly even start,” he said.

“Hopefully we can avoid injuries and begin the season well.

"We are hoping the Sale away game, which had been preliminary scheduled for Easter Saturday, will be put back to the blank date in early April.

“Supporters and players traditionally go away at Easter so if you have got a blank date it makes more sense to use it.”

The Tigers will receive the club of the year award at the Lancashire dinner, which is being held at Park Lane tomorrow.