THE new football season kicks off for many clubs this Saturday.

Barnton and Winsford United start their North West Counties League First Division South campaigns at home, while Lostock Gralam, Middlewich Town, Winsford Town and Hartford commence Cheshire League action.

Witton Albion, Northwich Victoria and 1874 Northwich will be continuing with pre-season friendlies, as their league and cup terms start in August.

A lot of eyes will be on Barton Stadium for the opening battle between new-look Winsford United and Alsager Town sides, kick-off 3pm, such is the quirk of the fixture planning process.

New Blues joint managers Dean Jones and Dom Johnson were in charge of Alsager last season and they have brought 13 of the Bullets’ players with them.

While Alsager have appointed Lee Duckworth, who was at the helm of Winsford United for almost nine years until four months ago, as their new joint manager.

The 13 new Blues recruits from Alsager are 2023/24 manager’s player of the season Jordan Cobley; former Lostock Gralam utility Jacob Stretch; forward Tom Stanton, centre-half Louis Johnson, former Barnton goalkeeper Jacob Kirwan, midfielder Sean Tierney and ex-Lostock Gralam player Lukas Jacobsen-Murphy, who are all coming back for another spell with their hometown club.

Also ex-Eccleshall player Blake Robinson; forward Ollie Pope, defender Elliott Coleman; forward Jack Woolley, who bagged 20 goals for Alsager last season and has history with Barnton and 1874 Northwich; South Korean wing back Same Son; and defender Stef Sorensen.

Perhaps the most eye-catching recruit is the most recent one, forward Matty Birchall signing from Premier Division outfit Ramsbottom United.

Winsford have named some retained players from last term – midfielder Leo Tanswell and club stalwarts Danny Kerr and Steve Jenyons, while tricky wide man Liam Collins is making his Blues comeback.

They go into the contest on the back of a 5-1 success in their final pre-season friendly against Lostock on Friday when Woolley netted twice, with other goals coming from Stanton, Cobley and Coleman.

Then on Tuesday, July 30, Ashville will be the visitors to Barton Stadium for Blues’ second game.

Barnton, meanwhile, play host to league newcomers Wolverhampton Sporting Community at Townfield Lane on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.

The Midland League outfit have been hit with a lateral move into the NWCFL by the FA.

Barnton were defeated 4-0 at home by their tenants 1874 Northwich at the weekend and play their final friendly at home to Wythenshawe tomorrow night.

The Villagers will entertain Sandbach United in game two at Townfield Lane next Wednesday, July 31.

In the Cheshire League, Winsford Town will be playing their first game in League One this Saturday on the back of achieving promotion in their debut season.

Town will host Styal FC, kick-off 2pm, and will then entertain Upton on Tuesday, July 30, kick-off 6.30pm.

Lostock Gralam will entertain Poynton and Middlewich Town will receive Garswood United in Saturday’s Premier Division games, kick-offs 2pm.

Then on Wednesday, July 31, the Grey Lambs will welcome Denton Town, kick-off 7pm, and Middlewich will be visited by Altrincham Reserves, kick-off 6.30pm.

Hartford’s League Two season will get underway at Lymm Rovers on Saturday, kick-off 2pm, before making the trip to Sandbach Town on Tuesday, July 30, kick-off 6.30pm.

Both Middlewich Town and Winsford Town will be operating reserve teams this season and their match action will commence on Saturday, August 3.