The League starts the new season with the announcement of a new sponsor, South Cleveland Garages.

A three-year deal has been agreed in what both hope could turn out to be a long-term partnership.

There are no changes to the membership of the League, at the League annual meeting a team was unsuccessful in gaining membership, as there were no resignations, and both Guisborough Town Reserves and Mackinlay Park were both re-elected, no vacancies were available.

League champions Acklam Steelworks and MacMillan Bowl holders Grangetown BC, contested the League's version of the Charity Shield: the JV Madden Trophy, with MacMillan Bowl holders winning 2-1.

In the 20th minute, Micky Walker, a recent signing from Nunthorpe to Acklam, broke down the left, and sent a sweeping shot over keeper Graeme Willey.

But four minutes later a Boys Club corner from the right created all sorts of problems for the League champions and despite a good save from Dave Mobberley, and the ball being cleared off the line by a defender, Simon Millington stroked home the equalisier.

In the second half the match swung end-to-end at a more subdued pace in the heat until the 75th minute. When Ged Cairns stroked home what turned out to be the winner.

ROUND-UP - Acklam Steelworks: The League Champions have a batch of youngsters in their ranks this season although they have lost Alan Oliver to local rivals BEADS FC. Charlie Agiadis is still under suspension and Rob Donnelley has left for pastures new, but they have signed Chris Fuller and Lee Atkinson has joined from BEADS, while Michael Walker, who scored in his debut in the Madden Trophy, has joined from Nunthorpe Athletic.

They could also lose a number of their more experienced players and will try and give more playing experience to their youngsters. They beat Cargo Fleet in the Claire Louise Memorial Trophy last week 3-2 and their two previous matches were 5-0 victories over the Middlebeck and Middlesbrough Post Office, who share their pitch.

BEADS FC: Middlesbrough side Beachwood and Easterside are hoping to pick up a number of experienced players and will look to improve on last year's disappointing season, they have signed Alan Oliver from Acklam, but have not played any matches.

Cargo Fleet: Cargo Fleet are looking forward to next season despite loosing to Acklam in the Claire Louise Memorial Trophy last week 3-2. They have lost centre-back John Patterson to Norton of the Northern League second division, but are hopeful of picking up a number of new signings.

Carlin How: They look to have the same squad with Ryan Scott now available all the time to team up with Jason Draper, what potentially the best forward line in the League, they are unsure of the availability of Steve Hampton, as he may be going to a Northern League side. But they will rely on last season's squad and hope to improve on their finish of eighth in last season's table.

Fishburn Park: The Whitby side were the first to transfer a player, Dan Brown from local rivals Whitby Town Reserves. Stuart Marsay will start the season with Fishburn, be played a couple of matches last season scoring a couple of hat-tricks. They have also attracted Andy Raw with youngsters Stuart Goldsmith and Sam Dobbs also added to last season's squad. They are hopeful they will be on their new ground by Christmas.

Grangetown BC: The MacMillan Bowl Holders and now J V Madden Trophy Winners, have lost a number of players and one of their joint managers from last season. Mark Williams has taken over at Norton and has taken four of the Boys Club squad in Paul Cassidy, Dave Watson, Mark Hackett and the impressive Danny Cobain. The Boys Club have moved up Ged Cairns from the second team, added Simon Millington, Graham Clark, Mark Swift and Mark Webster. They have also added a second keeper in Leon Carling and Michael Meggion who along with a number of players played in the Madden Trophy.

Nunthorpe Athletic: Have been busy on both the transfer and playing front. They were beaten 4-0 by Whitby Town, lost 9-3 against Thornaby on Tees and 2-0 to Guisborough Town. They beat Norton 1-0 and travelled to York and beat Rowntrees 1-0. They have signed Lee and Ben Escritt from Stokesley, as well as the impressive Christopher Croce, Richard O'Conner and Graham Clark, all from Stokesley. Former Stokesley player Steve Robson has also joined the club, and they hope to sign Darren Fixture from Thornaby Football Club.

Richmond Town: Richmond Town are to replace long-serving manager with two ex-Northern League players, one who will possibly play while one will start his management career at Richmond. They hope their prolific scorer Wayne Gredziak will be available as they struggled to score the goals last season.

Thornaby FC: Thornaby have just recently advertised for a new manager, due to the parting of long-term boss Andy Gardner. A number of players will probably want to leave, but at the moment no players will be transferred until a new manager is in place.

Thornaby YC: The Youth Club have transferred Marty Moore from local rivals Thornaby, but will wait to see who else will be signing from them. They have added to the squad of last season and are looking forward to this coming season.

Wolviston Reserves: Beaten in the R T Raine Trophy last season, Wolviston have played a number of matches, beaten by Billingham Town 6-0, drew with Thornaby on Tees and beat a local Darlington team 5-2, but lost in a combined Wolviston team against Norton. They have added James Shepherd, Neil Jackson, Craig Leslie and Craig Bishop to last season's squad, and have had first team player Martin Oakley playing in their pre-season matches for them