Last updated 13:36, Thursday, 07 August 2008

FOOTBALL returns to Tynedale tomorrow, with a full programme in both the Arngrove Northern League and the Northern Alliance.

Prudhoe Town start their campaign at Kimberly Park with a tough game against Sunderland.

They are in action again on Tuesday night, again at home, to Crook Town.

Club chairman Chris Lowther sees this as a season of consolidation, after the club struggled for much of last season.

He said: “We are expecting a tough season, but it will be the same for everyone.

“We will be fielding much the same squad, for although we did make one signing during the season, Carl Baston, but he moved on to Consett without kicking a ball for Prudhoe.

However, things are looking brighter for the future, for Prudhoe have established an U18 side which will play in the Lomax League in County Durham.

Chris said: “We have entered the FDA Youth Cup, and have some canny young players which hopefully will come into reckoning for the senior side as the season [progresses.”

In the Alliance, all eyes are on newly-promoted Wark, who enjoyed a magnificent season last term.

They start their campaign away to Ponteland , kick off 2:30pm.

Wark enjoyed an impressive pre-season, which saw them draw with Bedlington Terriers and Morpeth town at home.

They also had good results on the road with an 9-0 win against a young Alston side and a 4-1 win away to Allendale.

Although Wark start the campaign with a couple of key injuries, optimism is still high, with the core of the squad unchanged.

Manager of Hexham’s highly successful Sunday side the Ex-Servicemen’s Club, who have won the County Cup in past years, Andrew Wylie, is now on board to help the running of the team.

Jocker Armstrong remains the long running club secretary, with over 40 years in the position, and he hopes to see the glory days of the 1980s returning.

That culminated in Wark winning the Northumberland Minor Cup in 1985, a feat so momentous that local lass Kathryn Tickell composed a Northumbrian pipes tune to immortalise the occasion.

The Minor Cup winning team included both current manager Howard Potts, and coach Jeff Wright.

Marc Nixon is also back to his best form, with a hat-trick on Friday against Allendale and the pre-season has also seen the return to fitness of Dale Telfer, the ex Blyth and Gateshead player, who missed most of last season through injury.

Philly Thompson remains club captain, although the ex Middlesbrough youth player was approached by Bedlington Terriers but chose to remain at Wark.

The John Deere sponsored Wark side open their home programme on Wednesday against 2006/2007 First Division winners Gillford Park at 6:30pm.

This will be their first game on the newly extended Wark pitch,

Wark Sports Club have had to accommodate the team’s move to the Premier League by widening the pitch by two metres.

The extra space should suit Wark’s attacking playing style.

Tomorrow also sees the return of Haydon Bridge to the Alliance, after they withdrew from the league last season through lack of players.

A number of youngsters have come through, and they start at home to Stobswood Welfare in the second division.

Wednesday sees them put to an early test, with a derby match at Hexham.

Also in division two,. Stocksfield kick off away to Killingworth, but entertain Westerhope on Wednesday.

TOMORROW

Arngrove Northern League, Division Two: Prudhoe Town v Sunderland.

Northern Alliance, Premier Division: Heddon v Peterlee Town; Ponteland United v Wark. Division One: Killingworth YPC v Stocksfield; Wallington v Whitley Bay A. Division Two: Haydon Bridge United v Stobswood Welfare; Willington Quay Saints v Hexham.

TUESDAY

Arngrove Northern League, Division Two: Prudhoe Town v Crook Town.

WEDNESDAY

Northern Alliance, Premier Division: Cramlington Town v Heddon; Ponteland United v Shankhouse; Wark v Gillford Park. Division One: Stocksfield v Westerhope; Wallington v Killingworth YPC. Division Two: Hexham v Haydon Bridge United.