THE Lakesiders will be hoping they are flying high at the start of the 2019/20 Welsh Premier League season.

Bala Town will begin their new campaign at last season's Huws Gray Alliance champions Airbus UK Broughton on August 16.

This will be followed by a trio of tricky contests, kicking off with a home meeting against defending champions The New Saints on August 23.

After this, the Lakesiders head south to tackle Barry Town United on August 26 and they will then welcome Connah's Quay to Maes Tegid on August 30.

Bala's festive double header will be versus Gwynedd rivals Caernarfon Town.

Colin Caton will take his side to The Oval on Boxing Day, with Caernarfon making the return journey on December 30.

There has been some positive news for the Lakesiders over the past week.

Last week, Bala Town announced that midfielder Henry Jones had penned a new deal with the club.

Moving to Maes Tegid last summer, Jones has extended his contract after a superb first season with Town.

Last season, he made 33 appearances for Bala and he scored 15 goals.

In addition, Jones also made an appearance in the Wales C squad and he was also named in the Welsh Premier League team of the year.

The Lakesiders have also confirmed that Kieran Smith has signed on for the 2019/20 season.

Smith, who is in his second spell at the club, made 32 appearances last season and he netted nine goals in all competitions.

Meanwhile, after talks with manager Colin Caton, Ian Sheridan feels that it's best that he moves to pastures new in search of first team football.

Sheridan has been frustrated with his amount of game time over the last two seasons and Caton said: "I wish Ian all the best in his next move, wherever that will be.

"(He) has been absolutely outstanding for myself and the club over the last eight years.

"His workrate and attitude on and off the pitch makes him a brilliant role-model and example for any young lads who want to achieve in the game.

"I can't thank him or praise him enough for what he has done for me and the club."

During his eight years at Maes Tegid, Sheridan made 250 appearances and scoring 67 goals in total in all competitions, including Town's first ever goal in the UEFA Europa League.