IT seems like it has never been away -- I suppose it hasn't really.

What with the World Cup to keep us glued to our TVs then a whole host of summer seven-a-side leagues to keep us fit in the 'closed' season -- we never really have had a break from football have we!

But the real stuff starts over the next couple of weekends and I mean good old park football.

The West Lancs and Pendle Charity Leagues have already started back and the others follow in a staggered start over the next two weekends.

And that means the return to these pages of a few familiar faces and maybe a new one -- depending on whether he was serious or not!

Yes I mean Park Patrol with Michael Black, Ian Fraser and Trevor Hanson, Whistle Blower with our own man in black Neil Yates and Eric Kinder's Coaching Corner.

There maybe a late edition to the Park Patrol team depending if I can rush through the signing in time and get in touch with him...you know who you are!

I'll be stepping out again for Ivy Hotel in the Blackburn Combination Division Three and will try to do so until the weather means I can't afford to give up my Saturday afternoons.

So good luck to everyone for the season ahead and I hope all stay injury free and your expectations are recognised -- I would just love to score a goal in the right end!

It's the big Blacksnape Pre-season tournament this weekend when a total of 116 senior and junior teams from across East Lancashire will take part in the two day event at the Darwen playing fields.

Now in its fourth year, the competition has grown and grown and now established as a top event -- it seems a long time since it started with just 30 teams.

The big question is whether Blackburn Rovers Ladies can win their event for the fourth year running.

Well done to Darwen Ladies who destroyed international opposition in Torquay to win the English Riveria Cup in the open age category.

Darwen cruised to the final to meet Devon champions Torbay where Darwen won 3-2 in a thrilling match in sweltering heat.

Kelly Welding opened scoring before Torbay hit back to take the lead. But Louise Boyle level the match with 25-yard belter before Vicky Booker got the winner.