IT will be tough for Ruthin Town to celebrate two decades at Cymru Alliance level.
The Memorial Park Fields Club are looking forward to the new season and their 19th consecutive Cymru Alliance campaign.
But club officials admit that Ruthin face probably the most competitive year since the league’s inception.
Despite the fact that there will be no local derbies this year Ruthin will face some big names and they have some big games on the agenda.
They open away to last season's champions Llangefni Town and team boss Adie Jones is confident that his players can face up to the challenges ahead.
“This coming season is without doubt the biggest and toughest test our club has had since competing in the second tier of Welsh football,” he said.
“Since I came here in January 2008 the club has gone on to establish two top-seven finishes; it’s not been easy and has taken a huge effort and plenty of hard work on and off the field from everyone involved.
“But effort is what this club has in abundance, from our youth set-up through to the first team.
“It goes without saying the quality of this league will go up with the introduction of the six ex-Premier clubs and I am sure the likes of Rhyl, Cefn Druids, Connah’s Quay and Caersws, who have all assembled very good squads, will set out to bounce back at the first attempt, along with the ever consistent Llangefni, Flint and Llandudno. In my opinion that will form the top seven.”
Jones added: “For ourselves, we will take every game as it comes, keep the players focused on what we are trying to achieve and continue to work hard and see where it gets us.”
Ruthin Town chairman Brian Griffiths added: “We’re really looking forward to this season. We’ve had a good pre-season and we are determined to enjoy ourselves.
“We’ve had to make some last-minute changes to the managerial staff with Tryfan Prosser joining Adie as assistant to the first team.”
Prosser was originally earmarked to take over the running of the reserve team in place of Neil Jones, who is the new manager of Corwen.
“I’m delighted that Ryan Harden has agreed to the role of reserve team manager, assisted by Sam Griffiths,” added Griffiths.
“Ryan is another who has come through the ranks at Ruthin but also has a lot of football experience at other clubs.
“He’s a fine player and understands the club. We have a tradition here of giving enthusiastic young talent their opportunity and I'm sure he'll do a fine job.”
Just up the Vale of Clwyd, Denbigh Town begin life back in the Welsh Alliance on Saturday following last season’s demotion from the Cymru Alliance.
Usually a top-10 finish would be seen as a decent achievement, however Denbigh’s 10th position last season saw them three places shy of retaining their Cymru Alliance status.
Now under the stewardship of former Llandyrnog United and Corwen manager John James, Denbigh will aim to open their Welsh Alliance Division One season on a winning note at home to Conwy United.