Avro look to make amends

FOOTBALL: THE Bridgewater Office Supplies Manchester League Premier Division season gets under way tomorrow, with all three of our local sides in action.

Top of the bill is the local derby at the Lancaster Club, where Avro entertain Royton Town (2pm).

Last season should have been one to remember for Avro, but it turned out to be one to forget as Phil Brown's side were stripped of the title after it was found that they had fielded an ineligible player late on in the campaign.

Three points were deducted from Avro's points tally which meant that Manchester Gregorians were crowned champions.

Brown and his strong squad of players will be determined to erase the memory of last term and regain the title.

Apart from long-term injury absentees Carl Dean and Chris McKay, Town manager Phil Haigh has a fully-fit squad of players at his disposal.

Haigh has signed Steve McCann from Rochdale Town, Donovan Greenidge, who played for Chadderton, and Carl Beamish from Hollinwood.

Springhead will want to improve on last season’s below mid-table finish when they host Wythenshawe Amateurs at Ashfield Crescent (2pm).

Lee McAllister, who along with Andy Revill manages the Ashfield Crescent outfit, said: “We have had a good pre-season and have strengthened the side with a few new signings.”

Hollinwood, relegated from the top flight despite a spirited battle to avoid the drop, begin life in Division One on Saturday week with a trip to Salford Amateurs.