Alliance all geared up for kick-off

MINOR LEAGUE FOOTBALL

SOME minor re-adjustments have taken place in the Northern Alliance League over the summer with a few new clubs, promotions and relegations being finalised.

There is no switching of places, however, between the Northern League Second Division and the Alliance Premier Division - so Killingworth Town remain to defend their title amid strong opposition.

Division One champions Gateshead A may well also fancy their chances when the season kicks off on August 12.

There will be numerous other sides facing up to those two when the first ball is kicked with last season’s title challengers Newcastle University, North Shields Athletic and Whitley Bay A ready to go again (Walker Central have since tendered their resignation).

The newly-promoted sides into Division One - Killingworth YPC, Forest Hall and Red Row Welfare may fancy their own chances of causing an upset.

However, they will face strong opposition from Cullercoats and Hazlreigg Victory.

Three new teams have successfully gained membership to Division Two - Blyth Spartans Reserves, Coundon and Leeholme and Seghill - while Gateshead Redheugh and New Fordley were relegated from Division One.

The addition of the Spartans’ Reserves means there will now be three clubs plying their trade in Division Two, the Reserves joining Blyth FC and Blyth Town.

The make-up of the three divisions sees a 15, 15, 16 split for the upcoming season.