A NEW season means new hope and new ambition as clubs dream of a glorious few sun-drenched months, huge crowds and silverware galore.

Of course, clubs are very often disappointed as only a few teams can collect the pots – and there is no-one walking around East Lancashire who can do anything about the stuff that comes out of the sky.

But you know? This time I sense a real feeling of genuine excitement about the Ribblesdale League, which starts on Saturday.

A lot of people seem to think that this year could be vintage as the league expands from 14 to 16 teams with relegation from the top flight coming the way of the two teams stuck at the bottom of the pile come September. It adds a real spice to the season.

No-one wants to be down there – and as such the excitement of the campaign could surround the bottom few as much as the teams battling for the silverware at the other end of the table.

There was a fair amount of flak fired at the league from certain quarters when the idea to expand was mooted.

Some still think it is a retrograde step. But whatever the whys and wherefores the expansion has got people talking.

That in itself is a good thing as interest in the league will only increase if people are talking about it.

I have made my annual predictions elsewhere on these two pages and they are always a good bit of fun and create debate.

But there is one major prediction that all cricket lovers can make and wish for – and that is for a long and sunny summer where the cricket flourishes.

And where the cricket forms the talking point, rather than any off-field decisions.