STEVEN HETHERINGTON called on his Alloa team-mates to be "ready from the get-go next season", after he signed on for another year at the Recs.

The Englishman's one-year extension will make it his sixth year in the Wee County and he was an integral part of the side which secured Championship survival with a last-day draw at Ayr United.

He joined the likes of Andy Graham, Iain Flannigan, and Kevin Cawley in putting pen-to-paper on extensions last week as Jim Goodwin's summer business began in earnest.

Hetherington admitted the decision was a "no-brainer", but wants to see the side hit the ground running after taking time to adapt to life in the second tier last term by winning only one game in their opening 12 matches.

"It's such a well-run club and you are looked after so well," the delighted 26-year-old told Advertiser Sport. "It's not just me all of the boys are great and we've done so well in the Championship.

"So it was really a no-brainer for me and I think it's important that the squad are all together and ready for next season.

"There shouldn't be as much of a turnover as last season (when 13 players arrived in the summer) and I remember there not being many bodies when we turned up for the first day of pre-season.

"This year will be different, although I am sure the manager will still want to add one or two bodies to the mix.

"It's the best changing room I've played with. It never feels like work and you look forward to turning up for training on a Tuesday and Thursday night.

"I want us to be ready from the get-go next season and think we maybe gave teams a little bit too much respect last season and teams were punishing us for every little mistake.

"Early doors, last year, we were coming off the park thinking we should have gotten more like our performances deserved."

Next season will present a different challenge for the Wasps, who will be joined by fellow part-timers Arbroath in the fight to prevail against the likes of Inverness Caley Thistle and newly-relegated Dundee.

But, Hetherington still believes Alloa will be written off by most outsiders in their bid to stay in the Championship.

He continued: "Our aim has to be exactly the same as last year and, although it's a cliche, we do just have to sort ourselves out.

"Teams will still look at us as a part-time side and we need to be prepared for that."