It's all change for Ferryhill Athletic who have a new ground and a main sponsor, writes Malcolm Pratt.

After the disappointment of last season, manager Mark Fanning is confident that better times are just around the corner.

"The Wearside League made it clear that the ground at Dene Bank did not meet the criteria and we have been very lucky in being able to move to the Sunnydale Leisure Centre in Shildon.

"The ground and facilities are a far cry from Dene Bank and Ferryhill Athletic cannot thank the people of Shildon enough. Everybody has been so helpful and supportive," said Fanning.

VW Pulman of Durham are the new main sponsors of the club and already they have provided two sets of strips, match balls, a set of substitute track suits and made a cash injection.

"It is great they have come on board and together with a new home should give us the incentive to improve our on-the-field performances of last season," added Fanning.

Darlington RA, who won the League Cup and temporarily threatened to topple eventual champions Birtley Town, have seen a number of comings and goings at Brinkburn Road during the summer.

A big blow is the loss of Stephen Johnson to Whitby Town while Stephen Walker has decided to play for the Reserves and Kevin Wray has also departed.

Secretary Martyn Jackson reports that manager David Woodcock has made a number of signings including Theo Hetherington from California who came for trials with Darlington.

"It did not work out for Theo and so he has decided to play for us. Unfortunately from our point of view he has to return to America next week and we are not sure at this stage whether he will return or not," said Jackson.

Newcomers to Brinkburn Road are Max Ripley, Andrew Roberts and Michael Bowes, who has started to play again while Mark Hebdon has returned to the RA.

Champions Birtley Town will be without several of last season's squad. Paul Bryson, Paul Terrell and Michael Pitt have gone to Consett, Bobby Cooper to Chester le Street while Derek Ord has retired.

"I've only got half a dozen of last season's pool of players left. It's a great disappointment and the easiest thing would have been for me to walk away but I am determined to rebuild the team," said manager Dave Smith.

Barnard Castle Glaxo have a new manager in John Hall, who was number two last season. He has brought in Chris Cook, who formerly played for Evenwood, Ian Douglas (Chester le Street) and Rob Tansey who has given service to Crook Town and other Northern League clubs.

Secretary Geoff Wall reports that pre-season has gone well and that the club will encourages players too old to turn out in the junior side to figure in the senior squad.

Jarrow, who won 13 of their last 16 games after occupying bottom position for over half the season, have Ali Brown as manager. Micky Hutchinson, who did a great job when he took over last summer when the very future of the club was in jeopardy, will be assistant manager allowing him to play and coach.

There are two new sides in the League, Gateshead Reserves and Washington Nissan UK who have moved up from the Wearside Combination. Their manager is Sean Butler who has brought in a number of players formerly with Nissan in the Russell Foster Youth League.

Chris Lindstedt has taken over as manager of Ryhope CW from Ronnie Crosby, who will be the number two. George McKitterick has relinquished the post of secretary but continues as a member of the committee and of the league management committee. Dougie Benison is the new administrator.

North Shields, with ambitions to play in the Albany Northern League, have brought in Danny Olsen from Morpeth as coach. Wilf Keilty continues as manager and he has been busy during the close season signing up a number of players as he attempts to finish in the top two enabling the Ralph Gardner Park club to qualify for promotion.

Fixtures for the opening-day programme tomorrow are: Annfield Plain v Barnard Castle Glaxo, Birtley Town v Wolviston, Darlington RA v Harton and Westoe, Ferryhill Athletic v Boldon CA, Jarrow v Windscale, Ryhope CW v New Marske, Stokesley SC v Cleadon SC, Washington Nissan UK v Gateshead Reserves, Whitehaven v North Shields.