ONE of the first things Norths recruits Alex Bishop and Jack Ahearn were given when they arrived for their first pre-season at Bishop Park was a history book.

The Devils are a proud club with an impressive past.

They have claimed 14 premierships in different competitions since 1920, with an era of domination in the 1960s.

Players like Cameron Smith, Billy Slater, Cooper Cronk and Greg Inglis have come through the ranks at Norths, while greats like Trevor Gillmeister, Greg Dowling and Steve Walters all wore the blue and gold at some stage in their careers.

But over the past two decades, there has been little to celebrate for the Nundah-based club.

The last premiership they won was in the Queensland Cup in 1998 and they have not played finals football since 2012.

Bishop, 24, and Ahearn, 25, would barely know Norths’ glory days.

And that’s why it was so important for new coach Rohan Smith to take them back through time.

“The history is something we’ll continue to learn about,” he said.

“Whichever club you’re in, you’re representing those before you and laying the foundations for those that come after you. It’s important to respect tradition.

“We gave every player one of the 75th year books that were produced a few years back. It’s not a history lesson, but it’s nice to know where you are.”

Bishop, Ahearn and Smith are not the only fresh faces at Bishop Park this year.

Broncos official Terry Reader has been brought in as Norths’ CEO for the season, while the club also has a new-look roster.

Along with Bishop and Ahearn, Norths have also signed the likes of former Capras captain Guy Williams, Cowboys under-20s gun Calum Gahan, Super League forward Michael Sio and ex-Warrior John Palavi.

It’s a massive rebuild for the club, but one that comes with a lot of promise.

Former Falcon Bishop said he came to Norths because he needed a change and he likes the unpredictability the Devils can bring in 2018.

“I went with the unknown,” Bishop said.

“We’re in those early days where you’re finding your feet. But the way everyone goes about everything, and Rohan is so genuine and honest, it’s a good feeling.

“We feel like everyone is enjoying training. That’s the biggest feeling and that’s probably an advantage on some other clubs.

“The training (elsewhere) could be vigorous and I know some guys don’t really enjoy that. The style of training at Norths, everything we do is up-tempo and high-intensity, but I think everyone’s really buying in and enjoying it.

“Everyone’s really itching to play.”

Given the overhaul at Norths this season, Smith said he is not putting any expectations on his playing roster except to be a “strong team”.

But the players have higher ambitions for 2018.

Ahearn, who was sought out by Smith, said the new coach is the right man to get them back to the top, and that could happen as soon as this season.

“It is a bit exciting to see what the season brings,” he said.

“Hopefully we can put it together, upset a few teams and go a long way in the competition.

“I’d love to win the comp. I went so close at Redcliffe but didn’t get there. It’s my main goal to win under Ro.”