DESPITE interest from two Football league clubs, defender Carl Tremarco has become the first player to sign a new contract for the upcoming campaign, after agreeing a two-deal with the Dragons.

"I'm happy to be staying," said the former Tranmere man.

"In the time I have been here I have enjoyed it - at least the time when I was fit and playing!

"The players who were here then were a good set of lads, and while there has been a big turnover this summer, I'm sure the manager will bring in players who can do a job for the club.

"I've said before that I enjoy working for the gaffer and while there was other interest, I think we will have a great chance of getting back up.

"He will bring in good players, as this is also a club that can attract those sorts of players, despite being in the Conference.

"To be fair, I don't think there is that much difference anymore between here and the Football League, and you only had to watch the play-off final last Saturday to see that.

"Those teams played some decent footie, better than we did last season - so we are not going into this league thinking it's going to be easy, by no means.

"There were some good teams who never even made the play-offs, so we know there is plenty of hard work ahead of us.

"But I'm confident we can do well and finish in the top five at least, and be pushing for that automatic place."

There was the chance for him to stay in the Football League, but Carl was happy to spurn those advances:

"There were a few clubs interested, Chester did offer me a deal, but after playing for Wrexham I just couldn't see myself going there.

"Rotherham also wanted me to move over to Yorkshire, but I didn't really fancy it."

So no regrets about opting for the Dragons:

"I've enjoyed being at Wrexham anyway, it doesn't take me long to get here and I just want to play football.

"Whether it's in the League or not in the League, I want a consistent season when I'm playing week in and week out.

"Hopefully I can get a good year under my belt and then in 12 months time we might even be back in the League."

The travelling involved in the Blue Square next season was not a turn off for the Scouser:

"My mate, Paul Brown, plays for Barrow and I spoke to him the other day and he said it should be fun.

"Mind you, I think we're their local derby, so there is always someone else worse off!"

Now though, Carl can concentrate his thoughts on getting ready of next year:

"I'm hoping that now it's happened to us, it turns out to be a blessing in disguise.

"Just look at the teams who have come back up, they then seem to go on and do well in the League.

"I'm looking forward to it."

First team coach Martin Foyle was delighted to get Carl's signature on a long contract.

"That's the first one signed up and even better that he is someone who could have stayed with a League club, but still chose to stick with us, said Martin.

"You could see the difference he made when returning to the team at Lincoln.

"That's the sort of quality we are looking at for next season and he will be just the first of a number of signings as we go through the summer."