FOR some, it is the chance of a new beginning.

For others, the biggest challenge will be dealing with more of the same.

The new North-East football season arrives with its usual mix of optimism and fear, but across the region as a whole, the hope is that some positive momentum can be generated soon. The hotbed of the game has been in the doldrums for far too long.

Newcastle United have experienced plenty of misery in the last decade, and after the brief bright spot of a top-half finish in the Premier League last season, normal service has been resumed this summer.

The club’s supporters are fractious, angry at Mike Ashley’s lack of meaningful investment despite the club banking more than £120m last year and resigned to the fact that the controversial owner will not be going anywhere soon. Like the partners in a loveless marriage, Ashley and the Newcastle fans begrudgingly soldier on.

Rafael Benitez is caught in the middle, and having refused to sign a contract extension, this could be the Spaniard’s final season in charge at St James’ Park. He started the summer calling for some marquee signings, he ends it with Newcastle’s usual mix of loans, free transfers and cast-offs.

That said, Martin Dubravka and Kenedy both proved their value last season, while Fabian Schar and Ki Sung-yueng are proven internationals who appeared at this summer’s World Cup. Scoring goals is likely to be a problem, so Newcastle will have to hope Jamaal Lascelles once again proves an effective marshal of the defence. Improving on last year’s tenth-placed finish looks unlikely; avoiding relegation will be Benitez’s primary ambition for the majority of the campaign.

Middlesbrough suffered disappointment in the play-offs last term, so Tony Pulis’ task this season is to go one step better and secure a return to the Premier League.

Pulis clearly concluded there was no need for a major overhaul, so Boro have kept their transfer dealings to a minimum, although that could still change ahead of next Thursday’s deadline.

Aden Flint strengthens a defence that was already one of the most reliable in the division, while Paddy McNair will add some energy and drive to the heart of midfield.

The Championship looks as tough as ever this year, but it would be a major surprise if Boro were not to be at the heart of the promotion mix. Unlike at Newcastle, where Ashley is public enemy number one, Boro chairman Steve Gibson continues to earn undivided and thoroughly-merited support.

Stewart Donald is also a popular figure on Wearside in the wake of his takeover, and by embracing supporters’ groups and launching a series of well-received initiatives such as the replacing of the faded Stadium of Light seats, the new Sunderland owner has successfully drawn a line under the calamitous Ellis Short regime.

Jack Ross was a progressive choice of manager, and while Donald might have been unable to land some of his targets, he has helped assemble a squad that should be more than competitive in League One.

The likes of Jon McLaughlin, Dylan McGeouch, Chris Maguire and Jerome Sinclair look solid additions, the capture of Charlie Wyke is a very positive move, and by holding on to Lynden Gooch, new captain George Honeyman and Josh Maja, Sunderland boast a core of youthful players who have experience at a higher level. If they can add a fully-fit Duncan Watmore to the mix, they really will have an exciting pool of talent. All things being equal, they should really be celebrating promotion come May.

Might this be the year when Hartlepool United complete their journey back to the Football League? Like Sunderland, Pools have also had a change of ownership since the end of last season, and former Darlington chairman Raj Singh has overseen a welcome shift in mood at Victoria Park.

For a while earlier this year, it looked like Pools fans might not have a club to support, but there is now a degree of optimism thanks to the efforts of Singh, Craig Hignett and Matthew Bates.

The manager performed superbly in extremely difficult circumstances last season, and fully deserves the chance to lead Pools’ revival. Nine new signings have arrived, and while the National League has never been stronger, Pools could surprise a few people.

Will the same be true of Darlington, who remain desperate to get out of National League North? Last season fell somewhat flat when Martin Gray left, but Tommy Wright steadied the ship and has spent the summer trying to mould a squad that is capable of winning promotion.

The signs so far have been reasonably positive, with Wright’s new-look squad showing glimpses of promise. Simon Ainge looks an astute acquisition while midfielder Liam Hughes, who signed from Billericay, boasts Football League experience.

Spennymoor Town, who are also in National League North, continue to be one of the North-East’s biggest success stories, and Jason Ainsley will be hoping their progress continues after last season’s late agony.

The same is true of South Shields, who will be targeting a fourth successive promotion in the Northern Premier League.