Non-league football returns this weekend with North West Counties action
Stafford Town look to recover from last season's penalty shootout heartbreak by opening their league campaign at home in a county derby.
Evans Park plays host to a mouth-watering local affair in the North West Counties First Division South curtain-raiser as Eccleshall come to town.
Adam Wall's Stafford side made it all the way to the play-off final last season but were seen off by Abbey Hulton United on penalties after a 2-2 draw.
It means for another bid for success this term for Saturday's hosts with a tricky starter against Eccleshall, who were beaten semi-finalists by Abbey Hulton.
Liam Kelly's visitors will also harbour ambitions of at least repeating their feat from last term.
Kick-off at the sixth step of the non-league system marks the start of competitive action for the 2025/26 season.
There is Wolverhampton interest old and new in the First Division South this term as Sporting Community and Casuals also prepare to get their season under way.
Pride Park side Wolves Sporting, based in Great Wyrley, are aiming for an improvement on last season's finish of rock-bottom.
The club were reprieved from relegation, however, alongside the other two clubs that finished in the bottom three.
Sporting, under the joint management of Mark Swann and Neel Uppal, open up at home to Stockport Georgians.
Also joining the North West Counties League for the new season is Wolverhampton Casuals.
Cassies, relegated from Midland Premier in last season's 125th anniversary, appealed the decision to send them north west but the call was upheld. They face a trip to Ashville, from Wallasey in Merseyside.
Casuals host Shropshire side Allscott Heath at Brinsford Lane next Tuesday and Stafford Town welcome Wolves Sporting.
