RHUDDLAN Town are heading into the unknown when the new season eventually begins.

The Vale of Clwyd and Conwy League Premier Division champions are set to test their skills in the new NWCFA Tier 4 (East) Premier Division after a memorable campaign last time out, but this represents a significant step-up in class for Wayne Hughes’ side.

Their task will not be made any easier by the loss of Mathew Beach and Jay Whitehouse, two influential squad members who decided to take their chances at Belle Vue with divisional rivals CPD Y Rhyl 1879.

Both players played a leading role in their title triumph and it will be interesting to see just how Town cope without their services against a high standard of opposition.

Things did not go according to plan for Whitehouse, who suffered a serious injury during a training session with Gareth Thomas’ side that is set to keep him out for a considerable period. The former Rhuddlan skipper provided their firepower last season and the onus will now be on players such as Jordan Bellham to raise their level of performance and provide that clinical presence in the final third.

Beach’s previous relationship with Thomas from their time together at Denbigh Town swayed the playmaker into a move, and Town will miss his creativity to make things happen all over the pitch.

His loss has been offset toa certain degree by the return of former skipper Keiran Evans, who concentrated more on coaching at the club last season but has now been coaxed out of retirement by his boss to provide the a midfield spark in Beach’s absence.

The upcoming campaign will be all about consolidation for Town, which is to be expected during their first season at this level. If they can hold their own and pick up some valuable results along the way, then this squad has the potential to become one of the league’s surprise packages.