Lay: Wearside League is set to be wide open this season
Farringdon Detached manager Liam Lay believes as many as ten clubs can be considered as Wearside League title contenders this season
Farringdon will get their campaign underway on Saturday with a visit to the Dave Clark Arena to face Richmond Town.
Their hosts are seen as one of the club that can challenge for a place at the top end of the table and Lay insisted that they are far from alone with that tag.
He told The Echo: “I think it’s an open league this year and there are a lot of very good clubs around.
“For me, Chester-leStreet United are favourites and I think a few people would say that because they are a strong side.
“We just want to try and win a cup competition and look to improve in the league – but I think there are probably ten clubs that will think they can challenge for the title.”
Lay’s side head into the new campaign looking to improve on the mid-table finish they achieved during a curtailed season last time out.
A strong end to the season and a series of impressive performances in the hastily arranged Alan Hood Charity Cup competition has raised hopes that Lay’s squad will be a threat
throughout the upcoming season.
The Farringdon manager has been busy refreshing his squad and he is hopeful his new recruits can give his side a boost ahead of their opening day trip to Richmond.
“I think we have lost three or four players to the Northern League, so that’s a bit of success in my eyes.
“We were one of the form sides at the end of last season and I think the season ended at the wrong time.
“We had that momentum;
so now we’ve brought in some experience and hopefully that helps us regain that momentum and start the season on the front foot.
Defender Kieran Whitehead and winger Callum Nichol are amongst several new signings that could be handed a debut on Saturday against Richmond Town.
The only other Wearside League fixture to take place on the opening weekend sees West Auckland Tunns host Wolviston at the PC Sports Pavilion.