West Auckland manager Gary Forrest believes that his squad has the ability to challenge for the Northern League title this season.

West started last season well but faded towards the end to finish fifth, scoring over a century of goals with Nathan Fisher on top form, but crucially conceding over 60.

Forrest has signed striker Steven Snaith from Whitby, midfielder Tom Portas from Darlington and defender Tom Price from Seaham Red Star. He said: “I don’t think we needed to add much to last season’s team except some winners.

“We’ve got a real opportunity now to win the league and take it with both hands. Expectations were maybe too high last season because we were building a new team and weren’t ready for a title challenge – but we are now.”

Bishop Auckland’s new manager, Ian Chandler, with three FA Vase wins and a title triumph to his name, has overhauled their side after taking over from Colin Myers.

He landed nine new players, including keeper Nick Liversedge, Callum and Kyle Patton, Kieran Galbraith and Lewis Gibbons. A big boost is the return to fitness of prolific striker Andrew Johnson, who missed the closing months of last season, and he should form a strong partnership with Chris Winn.

Shildon finished third last season and could have been promoted if they had a better points per game ratio compared to others around the country at the same level.

Manager Danny Moore has lost striker Adam Burnicle and midfielder Sam Hodgson to Evo-Stik League Morpeth, but has brought in Danny Earl from Marske, while keeper Shaun Newbrook has arrived from Seaham Red Star to replace the departed Nick Liversedge. Winger Jack Blackford, once of Hartlepool, has signed.

Newton Aycliffe have signed Ian Ward, Stuart Thompson and Joe McAloon from Bishop Auckland --as well as striker Daniel Kent from Esh Winning and former Sunderland and Hartlepool striker Ryan Noble.

Also arriving are Tom Gavin from Billingham Synthonia – where former Boro player Jamie Pollock is now manager – and James Rowe from Thornaby. Striker Craig Hutchinson and midfielder Jamie Davis have gone back to Billingham Town.

The first division will only have 19 teams this season, as Marske and Morpeth have been promoted to the newly formed Evo-Stik First Division East, while Team Northumbria pulled out because of spending cuts.

If they had announced their intention to quit before the League’s AGM, they would have saved Darlington RA from relegation to the Wearside League.

In the second division, Northallerton want to go one better, having missed out on promotion by a point last season, and aim to strengthen their forward line after having had several players on trial in recent weeks.

Tow Law faded last season after a good start, eventually finishing eighth, and they have signed nine new players. Paul Oxley and Matty Allison are from Esh Winning, while seven have left including striker Lewis Teasdale who has gone to Whickham.

Willington had a great season last time round, finishing seventh, and they have strengthened with the signings of Craig Ruddy, Kyle Wren and Reece Marshall.

Crook appointed a new manager during the summer, with Jamie Tunstall taking over from the departed Chris Lax. Tunstall has returned to his previous club Billingham Synthonia to recruit players.

Brandon, who escaped relegation in the last week of the season, have rebuilt following the departure of Steve Skinner. They appointed Chris Blacklock as manager, with Richie Walton alongside him. He has recruited a few from from Shildon Under-23s as a number of players have left.

Chester-le-Street improved in the second half of last season, and will again be relying on youngsters, with Rhys Turnbull and Jai Grant arriving from Spennymoor Town.

Durham City changed their manager in the summer, with Olly Hotchkiss departing for Washington, so he was replaced by Mike Weston with Wayne Gredziak assisting him. They have a squad of 34 players at their disposal.