THE Manchester League's prestigious new sponsorship deal sees Air Miles flying the flag for football in the area, while the other big news of the summer was the election of three new clubs to the First Division.

Unsworth, formerly Kara, join after several very successful seasons in the Bury Amateur League. They completed a clean sweep last term.

Despite their eleventh hour application, the club quickly completed the work necessary to join the League and have impressed with their commitment.

The unknown quantity of the three is Warth Fold, who are making their first step into open age football after having played youth football.

Denzil Hart is on hand to guide the club forward from their home base at the Elms, Whitefield.

The other new club is Royton Town.

The League did lose one club with Stand Athletic taking promotion to the North West Counties League after three back-to-back titles.

The Premier Division looks to be wide open this year with many clubs building solid foundations over the close season and there is new management at Prestwich Heys with former Bury FC player Joe Murty returning as manager and Barney Daniels coming in as first team coach.