LUTEL James certainly hopes the new year is a happy one.

After starting 2004 in good form for the Reds in the Conference, the year petered out for the Stanley striker as he was loaned out to Conference North side Droylsden.

And when he broke his foot in early December, it fast became an 'annus horribilis' for the 32-year-old.

"I'm looking forward to 2005 and forgetting about last year," James said.

"I just want to write it off as one of those seasons.

"Breaking my foot was the final straw because I'd been disappointed with the way things were working out at Stanley, then just when I was playing again and enjoying my football, I got injured.

"But it's healing well and hopefully I'll be able to start running again in a couple of weeks."

As for his Stanley future, he's not sure what 2005 holds in store.

"I'm going to see out my loan spell and see what happens," he said.