CHAIRMAN Alistair Bow believes it will be sooner rather than later when Nottingham Rugby clinch a place in the Premiership.

The Green and Whites have been in the shake-up for honours at the end of the last two seasons and Bow believes they are in for another good campaign when then the new season kicks off at the end of August.

"With the new players our director of rugby Glenn Delaney has brought in, I expect us to mount a challenge this season for promotion," he said.

"I honestly believe that sooner or later, we will make it into the Premiership.

"And if we don't make it this time, we'll try again next year."

Bow has confirmed his ongoing commitment to the Green and Whites by agreeing a new sponsorship deal on behalf of Thomas Bow and City Asphalt.

And the latest substantial five-figure sum takes the level of financial backing the Thomas Bow Group has given to the club over the past four years past the £100,000 mark.

That contribution has been invaluable at a time when Nottingham have more than once been on the brink of going out of business – and the chairman insists it has been money well spent.

He said: 'People know how committed I am to seeing Nottingham Rugby, not just survive, but develop into a real powerhouse within the game.

"I'm in the fortunate position of being able to mix business with pleasure and I regard the backing provided over the years by the Thomas Bow Group as an investment.

"The sponsorship deals have certainly helped to raise our company profile, and I think it's more than coincidence that, as a business, we have enjoyed extremely good times over the past year. The next six months also looks very promising."

Although McCann are the club's major sponsor, Thomas Bow and City Asphalt have been significant financial backers for many years.

"We are one of a number of companies who have been loyal supporters and the club cannot have enough of those," said Bow. "There has been a lot of uncertainty about the future of Nottingham Rugby but I'm feeling very positive about the future.

"For example, the relationship with the 'new' Notts County is like a breath of fresh air. Every time they undertake work within the ground, we are taken into account.

"It's fantastic to be back in a situation where we are singing from the same hymn sheet and Meadow Lane really does feel like our home.

"There's a lot going on behind the scenes – which is all good – and I'm looking forward to the new season with optimism. "

Green and Whites fans will get the first opportunity to see their new-look team on Friday, August 13 when they take on Premiership champions Leicester Tigers in an appetising pre-season friendly at Meadow Lane.