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Football - Ziggy's Spice House Halifax AFL: Champions the team to beat again?
THE league gets underway tomorrow night and champions Hebden Royd Red Star are the team the others have to beat if they are to snatch the crown from the Mytholmroyd based side.
Red Star clinched their third Premier Division crown in the last four seasons by a six point margin over Stainland United.
Danny Gilfillan and Gary Porter will be in charge this season and will be keen to start their management careers with some silverware.
Shelf United are first up for Red Star in a repeat of last season's Challenge Cup final, which Red Star won on penalties.
Shelf showed last season they are not far away from being a big force and are expected to be pressing hard for the title.
Stainland United, champions in 2007, have to be respected, but may find it tough following some departures from their squad.
Stainland kick off against Warley Rangers, for whom Neil Grogan has made several new signings and they could be among the title chasers.
Siddal Athletic also start with a new management team and have also had a big recruiting campaign.
On their day Siddal were a match for most sides last season and like Warley could be a surprise package. Siddal start off at Halifax Irish Centre.
The Irish will be pushing hard again but may not be as strong as they were last season.
Sowerby United will be without keeper Reece Richardson who has joined Rotherham United. They hope to secure a replacement in time for the trip to Ryburn United.
Elland United are the first test for last season's first division champions Greetland who will hope for a good season back in the top flight.
The other newcomers, Luddenden Foot, host Midgley United.
Steve Beattie's men could miss the services of prolific scorer John Booth who has signed for Brighouse Town.
The first division looks likely to be a keenly contested affair with several sides capable of producing a big push for the title.
The Tony Kniveton and Dean Pritchard run Stump Cross will have big hopes of a title challenge and face a tricky opener against Hebden Royd Red Star Res.
Relegated Holmfield should have a better season and possibly make a quick return to the top flight.
Last season's second division champions, Bowling Green travel to Mixenden United for their opener which should provide a yardstick for their season.
Northowram and Calder 76 are always likely to be promotion candidates whilst Denholme United will be looking to improve considerably this season.
Siddal Athletic Res, Elland Allstars and Engineers were promoted from the third division last season and could be pushing for honours in the second division.
Siddal should benefit from new signings at the club and their opener with Elland Allstars could give some clues to the prospects of either side.
Engineers whose first game in the division is a visit from Ryburn United Res look like having a big say in the title race.
Junction were not far away last season and could be even closer this time round.
They travel to Sowerby Bridge for their start. Halifax Irish Centre Res have a wealth of experience and young talent at their disposal and if they start with a win at Stainland United Res could be looking at another good season.
Copley United have made some signings and that could see them improve on last season's finish. They host Warley Rangers Res in their first game.
AFC Crossleys enjoyed a fine first season in the league, narrowly missing out on promotion. They open their campaign with a meeting with Calder 76 Res and a win would set them up for a big season.
Strong title challenges could come from Halifax Athletic and Volunteer Arms, whilst two of last seasons strugglers, Denholme United Res and Sowerby United Res, may surprise some sides in the new season.
FIXTURES
Tomorrow - Premier Division: Elland United v Greetland AFC (A.Clough), Hebden Royd Red Star v Shelf United (A.Thorpe), Hx Irish Centre v Siddal Athletic (P.Bolton), Luddenden Foot AFC v Midgley United (M.Beard), Ryburn United v Sowerby United (M.Denton), Stainland United v Warley Rangers (S.Hoyle).
Division One: Denholme United v Brighouse OB (S.Adams), Mixenden United v Bowling Green (A.Gee).
Saturday - Division One: Stump Cross v Hebden Royd Red Star Res (P.Crabtree).
Division Two: Copley United v Warley Rangers Res (V.Janecki), Engineers v Ryburn United Res (P.Rosier), Siddal Ath Res v Elland Allstars (M.Redmile), Sowerby Bridge v Junction (C.Salmons), Stainland United Res v Hx Irish Centre Res (D.Thomas).
Division Three: AFC Crossleys v Calder 76 Res (P.Higgins), Midgley Utd Res v Denholme Utd Res (S.Dennis), Volunteer Arms v Sowerby Utd Res (H.Naylor), Wadsworth Utd v Luddenden Foot AFC Res (D.Wright).
Clubs should email reports to sport@halifaxcourier.co.uk by 10am on Monday for use in Tuesday's paper
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Weather for Halifax
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -1 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 2 C to 4 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: North west
