NEW boys Ramsbottom United will kick off their first season in the Evo-Stik League First Division North at home and begin with a Mersey mission against Cammel Laird.

United won the North West Counties League Premier Division last term and after gaining promotion up the Pyramid they have the start they wanted.

The Birkenhead outfit visit The Riverside on Saturday, August 18, and it is a busy start for Bernard Morley and Anthony Johnson’s men as they travel over the Pennines to Ossett Town on Thursday, August 21.

The Rams then face a derby clash with Clitheroe on Bank Holiday Monday, August 27.

Ramsbottom travel for their return clash with Clitheroe on Boxing Day and play another derby on New Year’s Day as they entertain Radcliffe Borough in a game that is sure to attract a bumper crowd.

Clitheroe’s first game sees them travelling over the Pennines as they head to Garforth Town on August 18 and their first home match comes three days later when they face another Yorkshire side with Harrogate Railway Athletic making the trans-Pennine trip to Shawbridge.

Chorley also begin their Evo-Stik League Premier Division campaign on August 18 with a trip to Stocksbridge Park Steels.

It is testing start for Garry Flitcroft’s Magpies and they face last season’s First Division North play-off winners Witton Albion on Tuesday, August 21, and then First Division South champions Grantham Town on Saturday, August 25.

The Magpies are at home to Marine on Boxing Day and make the trip up the M6 to the Lake District on New Year’s Day as they head to Kendal Town.
They finish their season on April 27, 2013 with a trip to North Ferriby United.