Darlington who finished fourth last season, get the 125th season of the Darlington Building Society NYSD ECB Premier League underway, when they travel to Hartlepool today.

They have Liam Coates and Mohammad Saad as their professionals this season, with the vastly experienced Johnny Barnes returning after two years with Mainsforth, alongside Dan Baldwin from Castle Eden and Andrew Sturgeon from Blaydon.

Skipper Garry Moody said: “Liam Coates will be missing unfortunately, as he is on holiday, so Ben Simpson comes in from the second team.”

Hartlepool have their new overseas professional in Harsha Vithana and is from Sri Lanka and has played for Sri Lanka A team.

A top order batsman and off spinner with five years’ experience as a professional in England. English professional and team captain is the experienced Doug Mullholland, who has been a leading all-rounder in the league. Jimmy Ward is another all-rounder in from Stockton and has been a stalwart for them, for several years.

Michael Gough senior stated: “Last season was a very disappointing year regarding our league position and we are hoping to finish in the top four this season. Jono Rickard is hoping to be available for most of the season, which is a big boost to the club.’’

Reigning champions Barnard Castle, have a trip to Norton. James Finch remains skipper for the sixth season. Karl Turner returns for his second season with the club and Greg Upton has re-joined, from Shildon. Lachlan Pfeffer the prolific overseas amateur, will not be returning and has so far not been replaced.

Stephen Brenkley from the club stated: “While retaining the title will be difficult, with other teams not only determined but strengthening, it is by no means impossible with a young, capable team who have tasted success.

“Karl Turner scored five league hundreds last summer and is hungry for more after a winter spent boxing and Finch, a wily, tough skipper, was the premier division’s leading wicket taker last season and a host of local under 25’s in the squad, should only get better.’’

Norton’s skipper Dave Cross said: “We have Connor Jones returning from University, but Gary Burgham, Mark Davies, Matthew Wilkinson and Tahir Javed have to pastures new.

“Marc Symington has had a knee operation over the winter and is doubtful for the coming season, in which we are hoping for consolidation, with some of the junior players having to make the step up to the first team and hopefully make contributions.”

Richmondshire are at home to Middlesbrough and have engaged professional Alston Bobb for this season and he played for Billingham Synthonia last season. Skipper Sam Wood said: “We are hoping to challenge for the League this season, as well as competing strongly in the cups throughout the season.”

Middlesbrough have James Lowe continuing for his ninth season as professional and will skipper the side. Overseas professional is once again Steve Reeves, who continues for his third season. Boro have strengthened their squad with father and son - Leigh Beaumont and Adam Beaumont, who join from Normanby Hall.

Secretary Danny Trodden said: “We are hoping for an improvement on last year’s performance and to get in the top six. With another years’ experience under their belts for the younger members and with Leigh Beaumont adding some more experience in the bowling department.

Newly-promoted Marton are back in the premiership after one year’s absence and they face Stokesley at home, who narrowly avoided relegation last season, by the skin of their teeth. Marton have engaged overseas professional Aamir Sajjad, who was at Normanby Hall last season and English professional will be Muhammed Zahid and their overseas amateur is wicket-keeper Matty Perilli. Club secretary Jimmy Peacock said: “Our aim is to stabilise ourselves back in the in Premiership and building a young side for the future.”

Stokesley have a new overseas professional, in Aubrey Swanepoel a South African, who has played franchise cricket for Knights in South Africa and is a right-hand bat and right arm spinner. Australian amateur Sam Stephens is a left arm opening bowler and James Weighell’s availability will be limited due to his Durham commitments.

Runners-up last season Great Ayton, travel to Guisborough and Chris Batchelor starts his 11th successive season with over 12,000 runs to his credit. Their overseas professional is Sri Lankan Pithigala Jeewantha, who is a quick bowler and hard hitting middle order batsman. He is joined by overseas amateur Cameron Beath from Western Australia, an 18-year-old left arm quick bowler and Michael Croft and Andrew Liddle have both returned.

Guisborough have engaged Shani Dissanayaka for a second season and Owen Tennent has signed from Saltburn. Chris Nicholls from the club stated: “I think we are looking to build on the performances from last season. After Shani arrived, we became a lot more competitive and had some great results against the top teams. We are looking for a top half finish and good performances in the cup competitions.”

Marske who finished third last season, travel to Seaton Carew, and have strengthened their squad with the signing of all-rounder Lewis Harper from Great Ayton and re-signed Saeed Bin Nasir as overseas professional.

Overseas amateur is Benjamin Van Rensburg, a left arm seam bowler and left hand lower order batsman. He is 19 and from South Africa for his first season in England. Other additions to the squad are Chris Witherley and Chris Veazey from Normanby Hall and spinner Sam Berry from Redcar.

Skipper Lee Hodgson stated: “I am optimistic for us with the new players we've signed and strengthened in certain areas, with experienced players. Last year we weren't far away having lead for so long, but injuries and unavailability came to often and at the wrong times. The league and teams are getting stronger, so no games will be easy, but if we click together and start off well, we will see how we go.

Seaton Carew finished a creditable sixth last season and have overseas professional Usman Arshad back for a second season, following on from his successful last summer.

A big player returning to the club this season, is 19-year-old Jack Turnbull after his spell in professional football for Hartlepool United. He has been involved with the club since the age of six and has been a major part of the club’s junior successes in the past decade.

Mark Smith from the club said: “Again we have a youthful team and hoping some younger players develop, with Richie Chandler now fit after last year’s injury and Yorkshire under 16 player Harry Harding should be available more regularly. General hopes are to avoid another relegation battle of last year and enjoy a good cup campaign.”