For the vast majority of clubs there will be one thing on their minds going into the new season and that is survival.
With the massive shake-up of the Welsh Pyramid system, it is now evident that several Welsh Premier sides will not qualify to continue membership in the league, which will operate with a reduced number of clubs from August 2010. Some are likely to be shunted into the Cymru Alliance.
Most managers will therefore be setting their stall out to finish on the top half of the table, with several sides destined to drop into the third tier of Welsh football.
Before a ball has even been kicked, it is disappointing that Glantraeth have resigned from the league at the eleventh hour.
A club statement confirmed: "It is with great regret that we resign our membership of the Cymru Alliance League. We apologise to the league management committee and the member clubs for the timing of our decision but it has become clear over the past few weeks as we have struggled to fulfil our pre-season programme that we are not in a position to guarantee meeting our playing commitments for the forthcoming season and delaying a decision any longer could prove even more disruptive."
Having canvassed the opinions of the clubs who they think will be chasing the silverware, the general assessment is that Llangefni are the short odds favourites to take the title, a fact new manager Lee Dixon will not be concerned about one little bit.
Based on the form book though, I think Holyhead will also be pressing for the promotion spot, but watch out for Buckley being the dark horses.
The Cymru Alliance League programme kicks off on Friday evening, 14 August, with the clash between Gresford Athletic and Ruthin Town.
Gresford have been fortunate to survive after finishing in the relegation frame last time out, but their saving grace was the withdrawal from the league by Mynydd Isa and Caersws not getting relegated.
Gresford chief Sam Ainge has built almost a complete new side but will be weakened by the fact his two star players, Gareth Williams and Max Peate, will start the new campaign at Welshpool.
On a positive note, new additions include Aaron Davies, Danny Wallace, Lee Phelan, Danny Brown and burly defender Nick Owen.
Last season, Ruthin were a match for most and one thing you can guarantee is that manager Ady Jones will have his side well honed for this opener.
Jones confirmed that he has been able to register all of last year's key players, but has added to the squad forwards Dan Graham (Guilsfield), Dave Roberts (Upton AA), Tom Mackerel (Upton AA), midfielders Kevin Garland (Christleton), Tom Sharples (Llandyrnog) and, making the step up from the Reserves, defender Jason Williams and goalkeeper Dylan Jones.
Match of the day on Saturdaythen is between Llangefni and Flint Town United. Both managers have been strengthening their squads considerably with Cefni's new chief Lee Dixon changing his personnel quite considerably.
He was able to confirm: "Ace predator Marc Evans has been snapped up from Holyhead, he was one of last season's leading scorers in the Alliance.
"We have also brought back Kevin Lloyd who has returned to the club after his loan spell at Bangor City; he needs no introduction to our fans, as he played in our Premier Team and was top scorer when he went on loan last season who is a quality player.
"Liam Shanahan will play in goal. He was at Porthmadog previously. Other confirmed signings are Gerallt Jones, Mark Jones, Lee Craven and Richard Owen."
Many believe their opponents Flint Town under-achieved last term, but rest assured, manager Paul Davies is optimistic his side will make a bigger impact this time around and he has strengthened his set-up by the introduction of several new players who include Alan Dawson, Mike Bank, brothers Simon and Mike Thelwell and Stuart Carroll from West Cheshire side Castrol.
There is much expectation from the Holyhead supporters that manager Campbell Harrison can go one better than what was achieved last season.
Most at the club are quietly confident he has the right credentials for Spurs to maintain a strong interest in the title race. Harrison is first to admit, though, there are never any guarantees in football and there was a touch of realism in his aspirations.
New on the block will be Mike Foster, the Welsh U21 International who has made a record number of appearances for Porthmadog; James Burgess has been brought in to lead their attack; and returning to the fold are Mike Edwards, Mel McGuiness and Simon Davies.
Spurs start with a home game against Mold Alex whose manager Danny Seamarks has proved worth his weight in gold since joining the Alyn Park outfit.
Working on a shoestring budget he has the knack of getting the best out of his players who have great respect for his honesty and integrity.
"The vast majority of last term's team are back on form with us again," confirmed Seamarks, and he added: "I am quite excited by the prospect of strengthening things by the signing of Steve Hughes from Caersws, Simon Holloway who was at Buckley, Jamie Crowther, Richie Dermott and Jay Davies."
Buckley Town will be there or thereabouts come next May and they have had a reshuffle at the top. Head honcho Stewart Roberts who was at GAP Queens Park and Connah's Quay Nomads takes the chair and with Simon Sedgwick taking a short sabbatical, they have attracted the very experienced Gareth Thomas to take over the manager's reins.
He has brought with him several players from the now defunct Mynydd Isa. He has also attracted to the Globe the following set of players: Phil Molyneux who has been playing at Airbus, Chris Johnson and Mark Orme from Denbigh, Gareth Edwards who was playing West Cheshire soccer with Upton, plus quality captures in Alec Stacey, Steve Thomas, Wes Brereton, Billy Webb and Liam Caddick.
They take on Llandudno whose boss Grant Montgomery has been working hard to keep together the vast majority of last season's squad. Looking to build on what he offered last term will be 16-year-old local lad Toby Jones and much is expected from him. Montgomery has the difficult job of selecting between Paul Whitfield and Andy Rooney as his first choice keeper.
Guilsfield's opponents Bethesda Athletic are an unknown quantity to them, but they will be aware that they won the Welsh Alliance League by a huge 16-point margin.
Bethesda boss Chris O'Neal wants to give his previous squad every chance to prove themselves at this level, but as a precaution has drafted in David Vickers and Mark Tomas who have Welsh Premier experience at Porthmadog.
Hosts Guilsfied are quite buoyed by the fact Tim Nunnerley has opted to rejoin the club. Graeme McGill returns following a short sabbatical, but seeking pastures new are last season's player of the year Sam Thomas and top scorer Dan Graham.
Llangollen already look as if they are cooking on gas and have already lifted the local Presidents Cup (see picture above of Ashley Wilson proudly lifting the cup) with a 2-1 victory over Rhos Aelwyd.
Manager Gareth Lloyd has snapped up seven senior players from LEX XI, including Gareth Rhys Roberts, Aaron Edwards, Aaron Aby, Paul Griffiths, Mike Latham, Simon Smith and Craig Hughes. To add that additional touch in class, Simon Hulse and Matty Phiillips will weigh in with their fair share of goals.
A huge crowd is expected for the visit of Llanfair PG whose chief Darren Moore is a wily old fox and knows what it takes to maintain their league status which will be a key priority. New faces include Sion Parry from Llangefni and Iwan Williams from Porthmadog. Also on board are Gavin Owen, Gary Jones, Rory Courlander and Eiddon Griffiths.
Penrhyncoch chief Kevin Jenkins is in line to complete three late signings for the visit of LEX, but team selection will be hampered by the absence of Mark Egan and Chris Wilkins.
In line for home debuts are Richie Evans, ex Newtown, Matt Cooke and midfielders Dan James and Sion Jones. Lex XI are still reeling from the loss of almost a complete team, but manager Colin Parry knows his onions and quality replacements include Darren Hignett, Sean Jones, Sean Dodd and Dave Cunnah.
Caernarfon Town fans have enjoyed soccer at top flight for well over a decade now and, rest assured, they will want the Canaries to regain Welsh Premier status at the first time of asking.
Amongst new arrivals at the club will be Kyle Hamid, Tom Walker, Matthew Jones, Stephen Maddox and keeper Michael Price who was on Aston Villa's books as a junior.
It will be interesting to see how they respond to an opening day affair with Denbigh Town who have new men at the helm. Last year's manager Tim Dyer has stood down and taking charge will be former Colwyn Bay hit man Steve Jones, assisted by Dean Martin.
They have had a busy close season strengthening their squad and amongst new arrivals are Bryn Jones from Bala Town, Buckley midfielder Miles Todd, former Welsh Premier midfielder Craig Wilkinson whose clubs include Cefn Druids, Porthmadog and Welshpool, in addition to Mike Sharples, Jamie Duffy, keeper Arwel Hughes, Rob Render and Andy Booker. Phil Jones
