ST Albans City manager Steve Castle is expecting to continue his tenure as the club eye a promotion push next term. Following the dramatic survival charge in which City lost just one of their last 11 games and won six and drew four

ST Albans City manager Steve Castle is expecting to continue his tenure as the club eye a promotion push next term.

Following the dramatic survival charge in which City lost just one of their last 11 games and won six and drew four, the players and current boss have targeted a promotion bid next term. In 2004/05 City were languishing deep in relegation trouble until Castle was replaced as manager by Colin 'Lord' Lippiatt who guided City away from trouble.

Lippiatt's Saints then ripped apart the Conference South in 2005/06 with a blitz of attacking football to secure promotion to the Blue Square National via the Play Offs.

Castle has the backing of chairman John Gibson and has already turned his attentions toward securing many of his top stars for next season, though he has yet to completely commit himself to the role. He said: "I am just hoping to keep everybody including Paul Hakim and Sunday. I think this squad that we have assembled with a couple of additions could do really well. Primarily I am hoping to try and keep the players. That is the most important thing and with a few important chats hopefully that will come.

"I am going to get everything sorted. The chairman is happy with me dealing with that side of it. I will say my decision finally depends on keeping these lads and my family situation.