CAPTAIN Matt Tyler is one of eight title winners to commit to staying at Worcester Raiders for the forthcoming campaign.

Midfielders Tyler, Paul Smith and Matt Andrews, defenders Logan Stoddart, Sam Carey and George Corbett and keepers Lewis Pinches and Dan Norcott have committed to terms.

Raiders, making their bow in non-league football’s sixth tier in West Midlands (Regional) League (WMRL) Premier Division, will have to make do without the services of defensive linchpin Dean Waldron, though, after he was snapped up by Stourport Swifts.

The Claines Lane club could finally celebrate after a protracted off-field battle over the three points that decided the championship that were awarded following a decision made by the league's committee. They had only lost one league match all season.

It will be a summer of expansion for Raiders with a newly-formed reserve team lining up in WMRL Division Two.

Steve Jefferies and Ashley Banner will manage the new side which is looking for players ahead of its maiden campaign.