BOBBIE Goulding is buzzing with excitement on his return to Rochdale Hornets as coach and is relishing Sunday's Northern Rail Cup clash with Salford City Reds at Spotland.

The journeyman star, who enjoyed an illustrious playing career, has made a sentimental return to the club which gave him his big break as a professional coach.

Bobbie admits to having a "soft spot" for Hornets but is again boldly vowing to do everything in his power to revive the club's fortunes.

He worked wonders first time round and the bit is again firmly between his teeth.

Hornets had only one player signed up for the season when Goulding returned.

He shopped around for new talent after quickly coming to terms with Hornets' relegation at the end of last year.

Goulding said: "I love the Rochdale club and am determined to see us go well again.

"Last time round, we built up a wonderful team spirit but now it's even stronger.

Vital

"That's good and so vital if you want to do anything in this game.

"The players are a real honest, hard-working bunch and all I ask of them is that they give everything in training and in matches.

"We are in this together and if we do lose, the opposition will have to have earned their victory."

Goulding transformed Rochdale from also-rans to play-off challengers during his first spell in charge.

He will always be indebted to the late Ray Taylor, the former Hornets' chairman, who gave his first break at Spotland.

They enjoyed a first-class working relationship and this has now been carried over for Bobbie alongside current bosses Martin Shenton and Karen Reynolds.

Goulding added: "They are superb people to work with. They're ambitious and supportive in wanting the very best for the club. It's great to be back but it's going to be hard work.

"We've had to start all over again but the players have been magnificent."