PAUL Pemberton has been named Huntington's new manager on the eve of the York Leeper-Hare Football League premier division season.
The vastly experienced Pemberton, who was a member of the League's representative side which played York City in last year's game at Bootham Crescent to mark the league's centenary, is one of the most respected men on the local amateur football scene.
It's certainly been all change at Huntington, who start their campaign at Rufforth tomorrow night (6.15pm) in one of three games which get the league programme rolling.
Huntington's long serving secretary Fred Young has retired and Eric Dower, another hard worker at the club, has taken on the role.
Jack Wilson has returned to the club from Haxby, while central defender Kev Copeland is thinking over a move back to Pocklington.
Former Goole player Carl Calvert is Pock's new manager and has already drafted in some new faces in Baz Garbutt, Rob Eales and, possibly, Copeland.
Other welcome additions to the squad are youngster Nathan Ball from Shiptonthorpe and Mark Croft, who has been out of action for over a year through injury.
With no players leaving in the summer, Pocklington may well mount a serious challenge to champions Boroughbridge, who will start the season without top goalscorer 'Smudger' Smith, who has given the club 10 years valuable service, and Reg Green.
Another key player, Paul Kitson, is also unable to play on a regular basis.
A further managerial change sees Russ Barras back at Dringhouses where Steve Thornton has taken over from Chris Johnson as secretary.
On the playing front, new faces include Chris Pulleyn (Old Malton), Colin Murphy (Huntington), Mark Prangnell (Pickering Reserves) and Alan Goodrick.
Departures from Dringhouses include skilful midfielder Shane Forrest, who has joined Selby Town, and Mick Brown and Jamie Backhouse, who have both joined Nestle Rowntree.
Another secretarial change sees Matt Usher take up the duties at CGU after Tom Thornton called it a day.
CGU, who entertain York Sugar tomorrow, have recruited Rich Hunter (Easingwold) and former Wigginton Grasshoppers player Ross Thompson.
CGU's biggest problem could be replacing goalkeeper Steve Milner, who has left the club.
One of the major departures this summer has been Joe Depa's exit at York Sugar.
The free-scoring forward has gone to Selby Town and his strike partner Steve Ward is considering a move to Nestl Rowntree.
Their goals did much to ensure that Sugar's first season in the premier division was a success last term.
However, Sugar boss Terry Hewitson has made a number of new signings including 31-year-old Nigel Costello, who was on York City's books as a youngster and played a handful of Football League games with the Minstermen.
He has left relegated Osbaldwick to return to the premier division and will look to form a useful partnership with new man Shane Donoghue from the Leeds area.
Sugar have also landed Civil Service defender Craig McShane and welcome back two long-term injury victims, Neil Rankeillor and Neil Douglass.
After two seasons out of the top flight, Wigginton Grasshoppers manager Bill Pearce and his assistant Bob Stuart have been rewarded by persevering with a young squad who last season clinched promotion.
The managerial duo have strengthened Grasshoppers' roster by signing James Siddle and Dave Cruddas, who have been key players for New Earswick's strong Under-19s side. Other newcomers include defender Paul Young and left back John Moore.
Grasshoppers start their season tomorrow night by entertaining Dunnington.
Bishopthorpe have added Matt Dobbs from Tadcaster and goalkeeper Andy Henk to their squad.
Geoff Atkinson should be a busy man at Rufforth where he will combine the roles of manager and secretary, and he has already got Osbaldwick striker Steve Jackson to sign on the dotted line.
Of last season's Rufforth squad, Pete Powell, has joined Green Hammerton, Tom McKay has gone to university and two stalwarts, Jim Collins and Simon Hewson, have retired.
Nick Clark has been named as Crayke's new skipper and the villagers have signed three new players - defender John Durrant, from Huby, goalkeeper Paul Simpson and midfielder Rob Graves.
Tomorrow night's games
Premier division: Wigginton Grasshoppers v Dunnington, Rufforth v Huntington, CGU v York Sugar (all 6.15pm).
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