Midlands League to be shaken up again

With plenty of movement, due to clubs resigning, new additions and teams moving from different areas – there will be plenty of fresh ground for many of the league's stalwarts.

The released list remains provisional but is expected to be confirmed at Thursday's AGM.

Hereford FC have grabbed the headlines after entering the Premier Division – following the sad demise of Causeway United.

And plenty of local players will be licking their lips at the prospect of heading to Edgar Street to play in front of 1,000-strong crowds.

But, as always, there are plenty of tasty sub-plots. Can Lye Town and AFC Wulfrunians continue to mix it with the division's big-hitters after a progressive 2014-15?

Walsall Wood will be looking to improve on last season's fourth-placed finish – that could have been better but for the demands of a memorable FA Vase run that taxed their playing resources.

Staffordshire outfit Brocton have been busy improving their squad, while Stourport Swifts will be itching to start well under new manager Mark Phillips.

While Sporting Khalsa, who stormed the West Midlands Regional Premier League as champions, will be pinching themselves as they pit their wits against the region's top amateurs.

Khalsa boss Ian Rowe and his staff have been gearing up for their debut season at this level and despite the rumours of Sporting being one of the teams to beat, he is not feeling the pressure.

He said: "The rumours have been flying around about what we do here, but we don't take any notice of that.

"We are as excited as anyone else about the Midlands Premier Division this season. It's so strong and there is so much unknown territory."

Midland Football League spokesman, Gary Hazlehurst, admits the quality at the top level is 'scary'.

Hazlehurst spoke of his admiration at the supreme depth of talent in the top tier.

"It's a scarily strong level of football, and it also goes way beyond the obviously story, Hereford, who have already sold over 800 season tickets," he said.

"It's a phenomenal league, there are no weak sides and no easy games – it promises to be massively entertaining.

"It's been a stressful time personally, it's my first year in this role and the pressure is on me to make sure things are run smoothly, it's a big year for this League – especially the Premier Division.

"It had a terrific first season after the re-branding, but like anything, the second year is always the most difficult."

"There have been rumours since the season finished last year, there were people putting prediction tables up online every week.

"I had people running to me questioning 'where is so and so?'

"So it's nice that the proposed constitution has been released, it will be 100 per cent set-in-stone next Thursday.

"We're not expecting anymore changes, but you can never be sure what could happen in the feeder leagues, there could always be movements there.

"It's such an exciting season. Many clubs have done a lot of work, they're really going for it.

"It's hard to ignore Hereford but every club in this division will be competitive, it is such an ultra-competitive league.

"We've had clubs who have invested well and are really looking to push on this year, that with the mix of talent and stature we've had arrive in the league bodes really well."

On his new role, he added: "I'm delighted to have been give the chance, I had a great chat with the board at the interview and all of the clubs have been more than welcoming to me."