THE BIG KICK OFF TOMORROW

It's the big kick off for the Vanarama Conference, Vanarama Conference's South and North, Calor Leagues, Ryman Leagues, Evo Stik Leagues along with numerous Step 5 and 6 leagues on Saturday afternoon. Fans up and down the country get a first look at new look squads some with dreams of promotion come the end of the season and some just thankful their team is playing the beautiful game. Here is some news from a random selection of club's up and down the country -

How many Bristol Rovers fans who travelled down to Exeter City on the opening day of League Two 2013/14 would of thought they would be hosting Grimsby Town at the start of the 2014/15 campaign as a non-league club. The other relegated club from the football league couldn't of got a tougher start - Torquay United make the mammoth 760+ mile round trip to Tyne and Wear to play Gateshead who lost in the play-off final last season. To put this into context Enfield Town will have clocked up roughly the same amount of mileage in Ryman League games come November when they arrive back from their trip to Leiston. That's nine away games! Good luck to all United fans making the journey which should be very memorable whatever the result.

Hereford United kick off their Calor League Premier Division campaign with the visit of St Neots Town to Edgar Street. The Bulls have had an eventful summer being demoted two divisions from the Conference following financial problems. The capacity at their home will be reduced to just 1,000 fans with the Len Weston Stand and Blackfriars End closed. The Hereford United Supporter's Trust (HUST) has voted to boycott home games in protest against the current ownership of the club. The HUST team has played a number of friendlies in front of decent crowds (650 v Ledbury Town) and has a few more games to come in the next month including a HUFC solidarity day at Royston Town on Saturday 23rd August with the match taking place before The Crows play Aylesbury United in a league game.
Check out hufcfanteam.wordpress.com or @hufctrust for more details of what's occuring with Hereford United.

Great Wakering Rovers make a welcome return to the Ryman League after a two year spell in the Essex Senior League with a trip to Needham Market. The Marketmen have been in good form in pre-season winning against Hadleigh United (3-0), Chelmsford City (3-1) and Bishops Stortford (1-0) alongside defeats versus Colchester United (2-6) and Lowestoft Town (2-0). This time last season Rovers were recording a 2-0 home win versus Tower Hamlets in front of 92 people at Burroughs Park. The game at Bloomfields should easily attract double this figure plus a few more.

FOOTBALL IS BACK TOMORROW
ENFIELD TOWN V KINGSTONIAN
3pm AT DONKEY LANE

As regular reader's will know The Cold End supports Enfield Town and will be at Donkey Lane to see them take on title second favourite's Kingstonian. The K's were defeated 2-1 at Ryman Division One (South) side Merstham on Tuesday night. They included new signing's Wilson Gondwe (defender - ex of Basingstoke Town and Wingate & Finchley),  Tommy Kavanagh (rejoins the club after a spell with Dulwich Hamlet at the end of last season) Sam Page, Nathaniel Pinney (striker/centre forward - ex Crystal Palace youngster who spent last season with Tonbridge Angels and Dulwich Halmet) and Elvis Hammond (experienced striker who was with Eastbourne Borough last season) in their starting XI. Town warmed up for Saturday's game with a 2-4 victory over Division One (North) side Burnham Ramblers who are now (player) managed by Bertie Brayley. Corey Whitely, Neil Cousins, Ryan Doyle and Liam Hope were all on target for the Town.  George Borg has reinforced his midfield this week with the signings of Stanley Muguo and Robbie Martin from Harlow Town. The bookies make the K's firm favourites for the victory at a best priced 21/20 (betvictor) with Town at 23/10 (betvictor and betway) and the draw rated at 11/4 (betway). 

The football season really started last weekend as the Combined Counties League kick off along with a few other leagues. Tonight also sees a number of games taking place - In the Southern Counties East League Corinthian welcome Lordswood and in the Eastern Counties League Division One Leiston Reserves welcome AFC Sudbury Reserves to Victory Road.

SATURDAY 9th AUGUST 2014
RYMAN PREMIER DIVISION FIXTURES

BILLERICAY TOWN V GRAYS ATHLETIC

CANVEY ISLAND V BOGNOR REGIS TOWN

DULWICH HAMLET V HARROW BOROUGH

EAST THURROCK UNITED V AFC HORNCHURCH

ENFIED TOWN V KINGSTONIAN

HENDON V BURY TOWN

LEATHERHEAD V PEACEHAVEN AND TELSCOMBE

MAIDSTONE UNITED V METROPOLITAN POLICE

MARGATE V HAMPTON AND RICHMOND BOROUGH

TONBRIDGE ANGELS V VCD ATHLETIC

WINGATE AND FINCHLEY V LEISTON

WITHAM TOWN V LEWES