Sports reporter Dean Jones gives his predictions for each North Wales football league he is covering this season.
JD Cymru Premier
Champions: The New Saints
Until stated otherwise, The New Saints will always be the team to beat in the Welsh domestic top-flight and given the impression they made in their Champions League qualifiers they are going to be extremely hard to stop in their pursuit of the crown once again.
They are the only full-time out in the league, have so much quality across all areas and they are experience, relentless and always striving to improve.
Runners-up: Connah’s Quay Nomads
It was a Europa League campaign to remember for Andy Morrison’s men, but they may well find one too good once again in terms of their fortunes in the league.
There is no doubting their credentials, and their efforts so far this season will give them a great deal of confidence for the challenges that lie ahead, so they must be ready to take advantage of any slip-up from the defending champions if they are to stand any hope of wrestling the championship from their grasp.
Player to Watch: Lassana Mendes (Bala Town)
Mendes’ arrival at the Lakesiders’ instantly makes him one of the best players operating at his position in the league, and anyone unaware of just how much talent he has at his disposal will find out in no time at all.
He was one of the driving forces at Colwyn Bay last season and spent time training at Crewe Alexandra during the summer, with his aerial presence and his ability to find the net on a consistent basis just two standout features of his overall quality.
JD Cymru North
Champions: Flint Town United
The Silkmen threatened to run Airbus Broughton close last season before eventually settling for second spot, and manager Niall McGuinness has a heavyweight squad at his disposal once again as they attempt to finally reach the promised land.
The signing of prolific striker Danny Andrews is a massive boost for the club and should provide them with the firepower they need to go very close to the crown, with squad mainstays Mark Cadwallader, Brandon Burrows and Richie Foulkes others that are going to play a significant role in any success that comes their way.
Runners-up: Prestatyn Town
The Seasiders’ have invested heavily over the summer to bring back a host of familiar faces with experience of winning titles at this level, and it will be interesting to see how they handle the bullseye on their back as championship favourites.
Rob Hughes is going to have a huge say in where they eventually end up in the standings, as will striker Ian Griffiths.
Player to Watch: Tom McCready (Colwyn Bay)
The Bay skipper is arguably the best player in the second tier without kicking a ball, and his presence within the Seagulls’ set-up is a significant boost as they look to make a considerable impact during their first season back in the Welsh system since their return.
There is nothing he cannot do with the ball at his feet, he inspires others around him and McCready is also well versed in scoring sensational long range efforts from normal play or dead ball situations.
Welsh Alliance Division One
Champions: Denbigh Town
Town went from Huws Gray Alliance runners-up to relegation in the space of a season, but there is plenty of cause for encouragement at Central Park thanks to a new management team and a reinvigorated squad.
Dewi Llion’s shrewd appointment of Owain Roberts as his assistant is going to do wonders both on-and-off the field, with the likes of skipper Mark Roberts, Kristian Pierce and Jake Walker hoping to provide the fire power that will get them back to the second tier at the first time of asking.
Runners-up: Llanrug United
United have been busy over the summer strengthening their squad, and they look to make a bold bid for the crown as a result.
Alan Mark Owen and Kev Lloyd are two of the most experience finishers at this level you will find anywhere, and they have always been notoriously difficult to break down that will stand them in good stead as the campaign progresses.
Player to Watch: Dean Garmey (Holyhead Hotspur)
Spurs’ stalwart Garmey once again demonstrated his loyalty to the club by staying on for their expected promotion tilt, and when he is at the top of his game there are few better at influencing proceedings as the hometown talent.
He will need to be consistent, show restraint and be able to cope with the physical challenges that await him in the third-tier, but given how much Garmey has developed in recent years there is no doubt he is up to the task.
Welsh Alliance Division Two
Champions: Pwllheli
Pwll’s hopes of securing the title last season were thwarted simply by the volume of games they had to play in such a short space of time at the end of the season.
They will be hoping this is not the case during the upcoming campaign, and they boast a squad with plenty of strength in depth to ensure their goals are met.
Runners-up: Barmouth and Dyffryn United
The Magpies are quietly fancied to do very well this term and have plenty of exciting talent at their disposal to give them a fighting chance of promotion.
It will be a hotly contested fourth tier with plenty of twists and turns, so United will have to get off to a good start to make sure they are in the running from the off.
Player to Watch: Gary Jo Owen (Holyhead Town)
The prolific striker has been hit and miss over the last two seasons, but he looks to have re-discovered his focus during the summer which could bode very for the Harbourmen’s chances of an improved campaign this time around.
On his day there are few better finishers in the region, and providing he remains committed to the cause for the entirety of the fixture list then a 20-goal target is very realistic for the player.
Gwynedd League
Champions: Bangor 1876
They are going to be there to be shot at given their high-profile summer, but few would deny that the newly formed club have the necessary tools at their disposal to clinch a title in their debut season.
The acquisitions of Les Davies, Jamie Petrie and Michael Johnston provide the experience, with plenty of talented youngsters also set to play a leading role under the watchful eye of experienced manager Mel Jones.
Runners-up: Menai Bridge Tigers
The defending champions have lost a host of squad members after failing to obtain a licence to secure promotion, but there is still plenty to suggest that a good season is in the offing for the club.
They will need to replace the goals vacated by Dean Richmond following his move to Bodedern Athletic, but if they can do this then they might surprise a few.
Player to Watch: Dylan Summers-Jones (Bangor 1876)
Summers-Jones is a product of the Bangor City Academy and has demonstrated his enormous potential during 1876’s impressive pre-season winning streak against high-profile opposition.
He is going to benefit enormously from having Davies and fellow teenager talent Benn Lundstram around him as the season goes on, and it would be surprising if he did not further enhance his growing reputation in the colours of the fan-owned club.
Vale of Clwyd and Conwy League Premier Division
Champions: Llansannan
Sannan were narrowly touched off in their pursuit of the crown last term, but there is a growing confidence that they can go one better this time around under rookie manager Tom Lewis.
They have kept the core of their squad together and added a talented midfielder in Joe Maguire, with veteran forward Leon Gierke boasting a wealth of success at a significantly higher level than the one he is currently operating in.
Runners-up: Llandudno Athletic
Athletic’s first season at this level was a huge success, and the double cup-winners are expected to go very close to securing a title that they were in contention for during large stages of the previous campaign.
Rhys Lane has developed a strong work ethic and cohesion within his squad, and they are very difficult to break down whilst possessing some real quality in the final third.
Player to Watch: Keiron Evans (Rhuddlan Town)
Evans ended a brief retirement to return to playing matters for Town this season, with his creativity and overall composure with the ball at his feet worthy of playing at a higher level.
He is an enormously popular figure within Wayne Hughes’ set-up, and how well he performs and recovers from his injury will go a long way to determining their fortunes.
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