"Somebody's going to get a hiding off us soon."

That's the message from Bromsgrove Rovers chief executive Pat Bannister as the club look to pull themselves out of a relegation scrap.

Rovers sit third from bottom of the Dr Martens League Western Division with just 11 points from a possible 60 after the Boxing Day derby clash with Redditch United.

And if results don't pick up in the New Year, Bromsgrove could be playing local derbys against Halesowen Harriers and Stourbridge in the Midland Alliance next season. Fine form in the FA Umbro Trophy fails to hide the desperate state of the club in the league, not to mention the perilous position of both the Reserves and youth team.

But Bannister insists Rovers can lift themselves back up the table.

He said: "I'm fed up with congratulating visiting directors from teams who have beaten us -- so many of them have come up to me and said we played well and don't deserve to be where we are. I've heard that plenty of times now but I know it's points that do the talking.

"I don't believe we're far off. It's just a case of turning the corner but we've been very unlucky."

Rovers proved with good performances, but defeats, against Mangotsfield and Hinckley that when things don't go your way, they get worse. Bannister has moved swiftly to remedy these problems with the signatures of former Tamworth United striker Dean Wright and centre-half Chris Bryan, from Sutton.

In the meantime, Rovers need a new match day secretary, a company secretary and a reserve team physio. Interested? Contact Simon Bannister at the commercial office on (01527) 876949 or 07957 141468.

Victoria Club manager Martin Hughes has taken over Reserve team responsibilities while Pete O'Connell remains as first team physio.