AFTER an absence of three months, the football season will return to the district this weekend.

Haltwhistle Jubilee will kick-off their Northern Alliance campaign with a home fixture against Stobswood Welfare.

And they will be keen to build on two successful seasons in the Tyneside Amateur League.

Back in May, they completed a league and cup double, and can expect a healthy number of eager spectators at the Burn Field on Saturday afternoon.

In the Bay Plastics Premier Division, Ponteland United will host Seaton Delaval, as they look to benefit from a season of transition.

Wallington, who finished fourth for the second successive season back in May, will start the new campaign at home to Percy Main Amateurs.

In Division One, both Hexham and Prudhoe face away trips on the opening day. Hexham will travel to Hebburn Town U23, while Prudhoe will make the trip to Bedlington.

Ponteland United Reserves will begin life in the Bluefin Sports Insurance Development Division with a trip to Ashington Reserves.

The season’s curtain raiser took place a fortnight ago, when Haltwhistle defeated Hexham 1-0 in an entertaining Clayton Cup final.

The Clayton Cup was once a much sought after piece of silverware. Dating back over 100 years, it was keenly contested by teams from across the district.

But this summer, only two teams took part, with Clayton Cup committee members admitting there was a lack of interest from local sides.

Colin Smith said: “We didn’t want this historic competition to die, so we went ahead this year with two teams, and will have a think about what happens next.

“Hopefully we can rekindle the interest.”