ANDY Hessenthaler is already tipping next season's campaign to be tougher than 2001-002. As he awaited today's arrival of clubs’ retained lists in the hope of finding players good enough to strengthen his squad, the Gills boss predicted that the presence of relegated Premier League clubs Leicester, Ipswich and Derby coupled with the arrival of promoted Reading, Brighton and Stoke will make for an even stronger Division 1.

He told the club's official website: “Of the three clubs relegated from the Premier League, Derby have probably the best squad, though they have a number of foreign players who have never experienced the rigours of Division 1. They will find it hard because you don't get as much time on the ball as they are used to. "

Of the promoted clubs, Hessenthaler is convinced that Stoke, who sacked manager Gudjon Thordarson this week, will be a threat. Gillingham pipped Stoke to reach the promotion play-offs and subsequent promotion in 1999-2000.

“The fact they have parted company with their manager after achieving promotion shows how demanding and serious they are," he said. “As for Brighton, I was surprised how well they did but I'm pleased for them. It will provide us with another local derby. Reading have an ambitious chairman who won't want to stand still.”

Hessenthaler doubts whether any one team will run away with the title as did Fulham and Manchester City last season. He said: “It will be tough for everyone – probably tougher – and Gillingham will be looking to improve on last season's 12th place."

As he scoured the retained lists, Hessenthaler found the door open to follow up his interest in Wolves wing-back Darren Bazeley who has been told by manager Dave Jones that he no longer figures in his plans. The Gills boss was foiled in an attempt to sign his former Watford team-mate on transfer deadline day in March when the 29-year-old failed a medical after damaging medial ligaments.

Ladies make it five out of six

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A PUB darts team has won five out of a possible six trophies in a remarkable season. The ladies of the Frog & Toad in Burnt Oak Terrace, Gillingham, won the Independent Ladies League title during the winter season and picked up four knockout titles.

Di Brophy, Rose Worsley, Pauline Still, Diane Roberts, Margaret Prosser, Rosemary Landers and Chris Everson won the fours, trebles, pairs and singles titles between them.

The only other winners this season were the Co-op, who collected the team trophy. Other teams at the Frog & Toad have also been doing well with the Thursday ladies league side winning their championship and the men making it a league treble.