Barney King is used to the rollercoaster of emotions when it comes to the will-we-or-won't-we saga of promotion.

So he only needed one guarantee from Warilla's committee to extend his stay at King Mickey Park.

"The club's in a financial position now to go to Premier League should they be successful," he said.

"The last couple of years we've played play-offs and grand finals, but we haven't really had the stability of the finances and committee. Now we've got that.

"It won't be a drama at all this year with promotion as it has been in previous years with Berkeley."

By his own admission, King says there's "a lot of water to go under the bridge yet". But a clear signal of intent is exactly what the most successful District League coach in the modern era was after.

Considered the second tier's nearly men after being so close to promotion and grand final success in recent years, King has again set his sights on league glory with the Wanderers.

The experienced coach is still counting the cost of losing seven of last year's grand final squad over summer, but was buoyed by the club's morale-boosting Fraternity Club Cup success.

Warilla needed a late winner from Matthew Keating to beat Peoplecare District League foes Shell Cove 3-2 in Sunday's grand final.

"I realise we had to work very hard and quite frankly, pre-season was pretty gruelling for them," King said.

"I thought if we're not going to have the best players we're going to have the fittest players. That's what's helped us in the early days.

"We've worked a lot harder and started before Christmas.

"From a coach's point of view, my ultimate goal is to win the league as it should be for most coaches in my opinion."

Warilla begin against Thirroul on Saturday, while the other five District League opening-round matches are on tomorrow.

DISTRICT LEAGUES

ILLAWARRA CREDIT UNION DISTRICT LEAGUE

Friday, March 29

(kick-offs 3pm)

Kiama Quarriers v Berkeley Sports FC at Kiama Sporting Complex

University v Helensburgh Thistle at Kooloobong Oval

Wests Illawarra v Kemblawarra at Unanderra Oval

Corrimal Rangers bye

PEOPLECARE DISTRICT LEAGUE

Friday, March 29, kick-offs 3pm

Bellambi v Shell Cove FC at Elizabeth Park

Oak Flats Falcons v Balgownie Rangers at Keith Bond Oval

Saturday, March 30, kick-offs 3pm

Warilla Wanderers v Thirroul FC at King Mickey Park

Picton Rangers bye