League expert Dave Morris previews the new Sunday season

Published on 7th September 2006 in Sport

This Sunday signals the kick off to the new 2006//2007 season with 24 teams formulated into two divisions of twelve set to battle it out for league and cup honours.

With each club scheduled to play 22 league games together with their involvement in three cup competitions, namely the Goole and Thorne Cup, Divisional and Frank Cawthorn trophies, and with some teams entered in the County Cups, it is going to be an extremely tight schedule.

Clubs will have to make sure they make themselves available for fixtures every week over the coming eight months. They should not forget, fixtures can be subject to change, they are not cast in stone.

With all this to take into consideration it looks like another interesting season with plenty to play for.

The League Management Committee would like to wish everyone connected with the Sunday League an enjoyable and successful season.

Below, club secretaries from a few member clubs gave Dave their view on the coming season.

Victoria Rangers

Last season's Division One champions Victoria Rangers enter the new campaign with the difficult task of defending, not only that, but four trophies they won in all.

Personally I think Rangers' priority should be retaining the title and also a successful defence of the Goole and Thorne Cup.

Rangers secretary Simon Gardiner said: " The club has retained the vast majority of last season's squad, and we know we are the team to beat."

They open the new campaign away at NUR.

Charter Club

Player secretary Ady Jones hopes the season will see a blend of youth and experience, after manager Jimmy Hamilton's close season recruitment of younger players.

"We have managed to keep the nucleus of last season's side which finished in good form, so we will be hoping to carry on where we left off", said Hamilton.

"Providing we can find some consistency I expect us to be amongst the front runners."

Raiders' first game is at Rawcliffe United, which could be a tricky ninety minutes.

Cowick Cavaliers

One of this season's new clubs, based from the New Inn, and will play their home games at Croda are Cowick Cavaliers.

Secretary Stan Brookes has a sensible outlook on the forthcoming season for his side. He said that he had a very young and enthusiastic squad of players, who despite not knowing what to expect, were really looking forward to Sunday's opening game away at Canal Tavern.

He said: "We have played a couple of pre-season friendlies which gave us encouragement for the season ahead, and we just hope the players enjoy the season."

His hopes for the team were that they finished as high as possible.

George Renegades

Renegades secretary Wayne Richardson told me the club has assembled a young side during the summer, but appreciated that having been promoted to the top division it could be a difficult campaign.

" We need a good start, which will instil confidence into the side, but opening games against Marshland Wanderers, and then Victoria Rangers, will be tough" Wayne said.

He added that the cup draws hadn't been too kind either with Old Goole Veterans in the first round of the Frank Cawthorn, and Victoria Rangers in the Divisional Cup.

Howden Minster

Another new club, who will start the season in Division Two.

Secretary Nigel Whiteley told me that due to pitch problems his side would be playing their games at Newport, although most of the players were from the Newport and Gilberdyke area.

Some of the players had previously played in the Sunday League so they know what to expect. He seemed reasonably confident that the team would cope with the demands, and said he would be looking for a mid-table finish, if not higher, and would like a reasonable run in the cup competitions.

The club are affiliated to the East Riding County FA, so will also play in their Sunday cup competition.

Buchanan

The club will play Division Two football after last season's relegation from the top league.

Secretary Laura Stannard said: " We have retained the majority of last season's squad", but she said it was inevitable some players would move on during the close season.

"Despite this the players are looking forward to the start of the season, and are hoping to be amongst the leading pack."

Buchanan start the new season with an away game at Green Dragon in Thorne.

Old Goole Veterans

Club secretary Andy Smith told me: " We are all ready for the start of the new season, having already seen competitive action with two games in the new cup competition, the Roy Mellor Memorial Trophy which ended with a 6-0 semi final defeat against Thorne Demi.

" Our main aim is to improve on last season's start to the campaign, hindered by a number of long term injuries and suspensions carried over from the previous season.

" Last season was disappointing in terms of 'Vets' recent standards, so we shall be looking for an improvement. There haven't been any real changes in the squad but we will be looking to continue introducing younger members into the side."

Veterans have a tough opener at home to Vikings.

Rawcliffe United

Rawcliffe United secretary, Mavis Parrott, said: " We have retained the same group of players, with only a couple of additions made to last season's successful squad.

"The players are raring to go, having already played several pre-season friendlies, and we made it to the final of the Roy Mellor Memorial Trophy, where we face Thorne Demi.

"The players have really gelled together, and the team spirit is first class, they realise the step up will be difficult, but are looking forward to the challenge."

Rawcliffe face a stern test in their opening game with the visit of Charter Club Raiders.

NUR

Secretary Paul Burnitt said that his squad included many young players, but it was great to see so many young players wanting to play Sunday League football.

He said: "The players know that this season will be tough going, but they are ready for the challenge. If we were to finish mid-table, I would consider this a terrific achievement, but we will have to see how things work out.

" If we work hard as a unit, we should be okay. It would be nice if we could have a decent run in the cup competitions. and we have also entered the West Riding County FA Sunday Trophy, which is always good experience against quality opposition in what is generally a difficult competition."