The winter season of the Northumbria League gets under way next week when fifty teams will start in five divisions.

 Three teams from last year have dropped out but there are four new teams. One of Cramlington’s top sides is no longer operating with Andrew Wilkinson going to register for NESLC Eagles, and Duncan Wraight, Dale Aitkenhead, and Peter Smallcombe now going to play for the newly formed Saint Columba’s in Wideopen who will also have Paul Baines from NESLC Eagles in their squad.

Cramlington have also lost Steve Penman but they will still have fifteen sides spread throughout the various divisions.

Saint Columba’s have also entered a second team which has been placed in the first division.

 Old England Crocks and Prudhoe and District United Services B team are no longer operating in division one but Prudhoe have entered a new team in the bottom division

as have Matfen.

 The champions, North East Chinese Association start the new campaign  with a home match against The Mount B side and their main challengers this time round could well be The Mount A team who have signed top ranked player Joseph Clark from Cleveland who is now at University in Newcastle.  Clark is  at number twelve in the English Under 21 Ranking List. With the county champion Graeme Barella also in the team they will certainly be a force to be reckoned with. They start with a home fixture against another strong side in NESLC Eagles.

 Newton , relegated from the Premier Division, will hope to make a swift return to the top flight and start life in division one with a visit to the newly formed Saint Columba’s B team.   Three teams,Brandon Anacondas, Matfen Senators and The Mount D have all been promoted to the first division.