Stand are ready for off

New manager Joe Murty has virtually a whole new side after many of last season's squad left to join former boss Nick Davies at Winsford United.

Stand were not promoted last season because of their ground, and Davies walked out in protest.

But Murty, who has managed at this level before but was last season with local league side Prestwich Heys, says he is determined to carry on where Davies left off.

"In a way the team was too successful, winning the league in its first season in the North West Counties. The club wasn't ready for it and now it has gone.

"But we are going back to basics now trying to build the club back up again."

COLNE, who finished 14th last time out, already have a minor injury crisis in Division Two for their opener at home to Cheadle Town.

Skipper Gary Dalton has a shoulder injury, Chris Ingham is struggling with his knee while Gavin Cooper is out until at least November after dislocating his knee - all occured at pre-season friendlies.

They have also lost star striker George Craddock, who has moved up to the UniBond League with Chorley, but the door is still open for him

Lister admitted: "I haven't given up hope of bringing George Craddock back to Colne, just in case it doesn't work out for him at Chorley.

"We have signed a number of young players and some will take a bit of time to fit in but the important thing is that the squad is a happy one, again with lots of potential. It is probably the strongest squad I have had a the club."

At BACUP, there may be no place like home but it will be December before Brent Peters' team takes to the field at West View.

They are having work done on the playing surface and kick off their season at Leek CSOB.

"We are playing away for several months and that is not ideal. We will lose out on money from sponsorship and the bar but it will not alter the way we play.

"I firmly believe that I coach my team to play the same way no matter where we play and some of our best results last year were away.

"But it is frustrating because I am not just the manager here, I am fully involved with the football club.

"At a club like ours it is important to blood young players, make them better and then see them move on to a higher level. That is the nature of the game and we have got some promising players."

DARWEN open their season with a home game against Ashton Town - and manager Steve Wilkes might throw a few kids in.

"It might mean we have to take two steps back this season so we can go forward next but that will not stop me wanting to win every game.

"I particularly want us to do well in the FA Cup and the Vase because cup runs will generate vital money.

"If we can win two home FA Cup ties we will be in for £7,500 and that is a fortune to a club like ours.

GREAT HARWOOD were relegated from Division One last season and open their campaign with a trip to Chadderton.

Boss John Hughes has boosted the club's youth policy and believes he has some hot prospects at the Showground.

"I have had a look at these kids and a lot of the fans are raving about them. I have high hopes for Chris (Heslop). He is a young striker who had a trial at Bury and, although they were interested in him, it was their finances.

"We feel lucky to have him and he has a chance to put himself in the shop window.

"But so have a couple of others. We may have dropped a league but I think we can win it

"There is competition for places at the club which is what I want. Last season we struggled to score goals and I want to make sure this is not a problem this season.

"We still have the experienced players - the likes of Neil Baron, Paul Walker, Graham Lightbown, Shaun Bursnell and Neil Kennedy and Dave Sharples, my assistant, wants to carry on playing.

"Everyone has got to perform.

"We have been in training for six weeks and the lads say they feel fitter than ever.

"I am not in this for fun, I want to win and I believe we can."

PADIHAM start their season with a visit to Castleton Gabriels and Graham Howarth is glad to have striker Lee Chambers - who was top scorer in their first season in the NWCL - back and fit.

Chambers, who returned to the club last season after a brief stay at Kendal, has recovered from an injury which kept him sidelined at the end of last season and is raring to go.

"I have kept the squad together but it is good to have Lee back. The difference last season to our first in the League was that we struggled to score goals.

"There were tight games that we would have won the previous year and I just hope Lee can get going again.

"We need that fire-power because we lost five games 1-0 . The lads have got a bit more experience and they know we need to score more.

"Steve Yeoman has injured ankle ligaments at work and he is going to be out for the first six weeks but that apart everyone is fit.

"I have brought Matty Bolton in from Halifax and we hope that he will help us have a cutting edge down the left side of midfield."

NELSON boss John Bailey is also to have plenty of firepower with a new look attack of Carl Howarth and Dave Gray.

Former Rossendale player Gray, who did have a trial at Accrington in the summer, did score a hat-trick in a friendly against Ramsbottom and Bailey wants more of the same.

"Hopefully they will strike up a good partnership and compliment each other," said the boss.

They begin with a trip to Maine Road and, after a blistering start of five wins in their opening six games last time out, they want the same.

"Getting off to a good start and being at the right end of the table is our main aim," said Bailey.