THE Salop Leisure Shropshire Premier League season kicks off this weekend with clubs from across the border looking forward to a successful campaign.

The 18 club premier league is the strongest its been in many years and bolstered by the demotion of Ellesmere Rangers following their withdrawal from the North West Counties League South.

Rangers have parted company with a host of players since with Jack Harris joining Llansantffraid in the Ardal North East League and Callum Graybrook joining Caersws in JD Cymru North.

Rangers open their season at Dawley Town on Saturday.

Border Counties Advertizer: Morda United head into the season with confidence.

Morda United head into the season with confidence. Picture by Andrew Donnison.

Morda United open the campaign at home to Church Stretton on Saturday.

Manager Mike O'Reilly said: "We have had a really positive pre-season.

"We have worked incredibly hard on getting fitter and more comfortable on the ball to go with how we’re going to play this season.

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"We played higher opposition in every pre-season game bar one and competed very well and were the better team in spells.

"Our aim this season realistically is to be in the top six but we start on zero points like everyone else so we’ll take each game as it comes and see where we finish.

"The league is as tough as I’ve seen in the Shropshire Premier so every game will be difficult but I believe in my players 100 per cent."

Border Counties Advertizer: Morda United head into the season with confidence. Picture by Andrew Donnison.

Morda United head into the season with confidence. Picture by Andrew Donnison.

The Weston Pools Park club has been active off the pitch.

O'Reilly said: "Our sponsorship support has gone through the roof and we’d like to thank every single one of them.

"Without sponsors we couldn’t survive. We’ve reopened the stand and the tea hut so that’s another big plus for the club. We do need more volunteers to join the club so please contact us if you can help."

Morda have been busy with the capture of ex-TNS youngster James Gregory-Cork and Dean Clarke from the defunct Cefn Druids while Logan Richards has signed from St Martins to join the previously unattached Olly Hayward and Aaron Pritchard.

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St Martins have been busy with four new signings welcomed during the summer with Shawn Melusi, Dan Harrington, Daryl Davies and Ben Curran adding depth to the squad.

A club spokesman said: "We’re hopeful of a much improved finish as we aim towards mid-table in a really tough division."

The Saints open their campaign at Drayton Town on Saturday.

Border Counties Advertizer: Gobowen Celtic players with the GEM Trophy. Picture by Andrew Donnison.

Gobowen Celtic players with the GEM Trophy. Picture by Andrew Donnison.

Gobowen Celtic begin with a home encounter with AMS on Saturday.

A club spokesman said: "We’re coming off the back of winning the Graham Edwards Memorial Trophy on Sunday, so confidence is high.

"It’s a top quality Premier Division this season, with a number of teams with higher league experience and pedigree, so every week is going to be a challenge.

"After a positive pre-season, we’ll be looking to take that into Saturday’s game against AMS FC, and beyond as we aim to build and improve on last seasons 9th place finish.

"There has been little change to the playing squad, but the addition of goalkeeper Joe Roberts should provide us with some much needed stability in that position, after it was a problem role for us last season with around 10 different players donning the gloves."

It is another big season for Llanymynech as the Welsh club target a successful first division campaign.

A club spokesman said: "We are looking at the top end of the table for this season with the core group staying on and the signings that have come through the door.

"We are also looking for another cup run as getting to the final in our first season in Shropshire exceeded expectations so would love to get there again."

Matt Rees, Tommy Williams, Kie Evans and Chris Price have arrived at Station Road ahead of the new campaign.

The Rockmen open their campaign at home to Ercall Revolution on Friday night.

The newly re-formed Weston Rhyn complete borderland interest with the club opening their season at Ercall Evolution Aces on Saturday.