West Auckland manager Andy Campbell has told his players that he wants them to run through brick walls when their EBAC Northern League season gets under way at Whitley Bay on Saturday.

Campbell, who was appointed in June, has signed 20 new players, most of them from his old club Norton, with only one remaining from last season.

“We’ve done all this in five weeks,” he said. “We’ve been constantly on the phone looking for players, and hopefully we’ll see the benefits and the fans will enjoy seeing the team that we’ve built. I’ve told the players that I want them to run through brick walls for this club.”

Two of those 20 will be missing today, midfielder Bryan Stewart and defender Joe Kendrick. Whitley have fitness doubts over Jake Richardson, Chris Reid and Kris Goss.

Champions Marske United begin their title defence at rejuvenated Newton Aycliffe.

Marske stunned everybody by lifting the title last season just a year after flirting with relegation, but they will be without five players because of holidays and weddings today.

Aycliffe manager Peter Dixon has brought several new players into his squad, most of them from his previous club West Auckland, including striker Matty Moffat and midfielder Brian Close. He also signed right back Alex Kitchen, who has been on trial with Darlington. Andrew Green and Mark Stephenson are both suspended.

Last season’s runners up, Shildon, begin at Newcastle Benfield, and they will give debuts to several players, one of whom is defender Gary Brown, who has just completed his move from Darlington. Benfield have a doubt over new striker Dean Walker, signed from North Shields, while keeper Andy Grainger is definitely out.

Bishop Auckland go up the A1 to Morpeth, and they welcome back five players who missed the midweek defeat by Darlington – new signings David Palmer and Ian Ward, as well as Andy Johnson, Jordan Galloway and Lewis Brown. Morpeth have a big doubt over one of their summer signings, defender Chris Swailes, but they include their other new signings, Lee McAndrew and Jordan Nellis.

Durham City are at home to West Allotment, and will give a late fitness test to defender Daniel Dillon, while striker James Fairley will probably be missing.

Consett are at Sunderland RCA, and they include ten new signings, the latest of whom is Ryan McKinnon, recently released by Newcastle. Keeper Peter Jeffries and midfielder Dan Hawkins, who were both at Blyth and Bishop Auckland with manager Colin Myers, will probably start. The RCA have a big doubt over new signing Liam Hatch, while there are other doubts over Colin Larkin and Clayton Davies.

Guisborough, who finished third last season, are at home to FA Vase winners North Shields, who were a place below them, and they will be at full strength except for Connor Smith. Shields include new signings Gary Ormston and Dave Coulson from Dunston, Jack Walker from Consett and Sean McAfferty from Whitley Bay.

Dunston UTS, one of the fancied teams for the title, are at Bedlington, and they include another new signing, midfielder Mattie Briggs from Gateshead. However, they will be without midfielder Micky Dixon because of injury. Bedlington, under new manager Andy Ferrell, who has completely changed his squad, is missing defender Marc Dummett, and Paul Stoneman, who was player-manager of West Allotment last season.

Second Division champions Seaham Star are at Penrith, and they include seven new signings in their squad, but they will be without Dean Nichoson, Darryl Donnelly and Sonny Andrews.

Promoted Norton are at home to Jarrow Roofing, and manager Adam Rundle has had to build a brand new team since he took over during the summer. Roofing include striker John Campbell, who has returned to the club from a spell at Oxford United, but they will be missing Dan Carson and Corey Barnes.

Another promoted club, Washington, are at home to Ashington, and they include new keeper Jonathan Carmichael and outfield players Ross Preston, Gary Shields, Steven Stewart and Johnny Butler in their squad. Ashington have signed former Darlington and Spennymoor winger Chris Moore from Consett, and youngster Jonathyn Quinn, who has been released by Newcastle.

Tow Law and Billingham Synthonia had many a battle in the first division, and now they meet in the second division at Ironworks Road. Both have overhauled their squads during the close season. Lawyers manager Steve Murray has signed 16 players during the summer, but they will be missing Chris Killeen and Joe Gill because of suspension.

Just like Lawyers, Synners only have five players remaining in their squad from last season. Conrad Hillerby is the new man in charge, and he expects to be at full strength.

Darlington RA are at home to Alnwick. They will be without Nathan Wilson because of suspension and Stephen Cheeseman because of injury, but they have signed several new players including Kerry Hedley, while four more return after long term injury.

Crook Town are hoping to have a much better season this time round, and they have a tough opener at home to Heaton Stannington. Crook manager Gary Anderson has brought in several new players in a summer of upheaval, with a new captain Jonathan Kemp, Thomas Watkinson, Alex Wilson, Russ Graham and Jason Brazauskas.

Heaton have signed striker Jonathan Wright from Marske United, the fifth time they have signed him in his career. They have also signed striker Dan Quine from Birtley.

Chester-le-Street are at home to Stokesley, who are now managed by Craig Winter. Chester manager Colin Wake has brought in several new players, but he will be missing Arran Reynolds, Ben Johnson, Lee Mole, Lee McGill, Tom Wray and Kevin Dixon.

Brandon, who were reprieved from relegation last season because of Stockton Town’s inability to take promotion, are at Team Northumbria, and they have completely changed their side, but they will be missing Kieran Weekes and James Ellis because of injury.

Northallerton go to promotion favourites South Shields, and include five new signings – Mark Wood, Sean Ryder, Martin Sowerby, Steven Richardson and Nick Cressey. Shields have signed several new players with first division experience, and are waiting international clearance to come through for Darryl Hall, while strikers Stephen Ramsey and Paul Kane are both suspended. Striker Warren Byrne and winger Adam Sakr are both doubtful.

Thornaby face Willington at Teesdale Park, and they may give a debut to Polish keeper Adrian Beblowski, while manager Paul Edwards includes five other new signings in the squad. Willington have signed former Darlington youngster Connor Lowes, as well as Corey Nicholson, Dean Thexton and Ben Trotter.

Newcomers Easington begin life for the third time in the Northern League at home to Whickham, and during the week they signed Aiden Goodey from Willington.

Billingham Town, with new manager Barry Oliver in charge, are at home to Birtley, and they will be missing several players because of holidays. Birtley include nine new signings, including Jonny Yip and Andrew Clarkson from Brandon.

Ryhope CW are at Esh Winning, and they welcome back keeper Chris Rookes who missed most of last season because of injury, and they include new midfielder Simon Ord from Tow Law.