THE West Riding County Amateur League kicks off its 93rd season tomorrow with 36 teams – two down on before.

After losing Premier Division champions Bay Athletic because of financial problems, the league looked to be in a healthy state with five new sides taking the tally up to 40 across the three divisions.

That was until the second week in July, when First Division Gildersome Spurs Old Boys pulled out followed by Storthes Hall withdrawing both their teams. The Huddersfield-based club blamed their decision on players tempting to step up to play at Evo-Stik and Northern Counties East level.

Campion, who finished third last time, start their season with a visit to Kirkburton in the newly-sponsored Taylor’s Timber Premier Division.

They will have to do it without the services of free-scoring Steve Hollingsworth, who has joined Brighouse Town. But they have added proven goalscorers Gavin Armitage from Storthes Hall and West Horton’s Lee Smith.

Salts played all their home games last season at Keighley’s Marley Stadium but will be looking to return to their brand new ground and changing facilities at Saltaire from the beginning of next month.

In the mean time, they will play all their fixtures away and start with a trip to East Bierley to face newly-promoted Dudley Hill Rangers.

Steeton open up with a home clash against Golcar United, who will be aiming to go one better after being pipped for last season’s title by Bay Athletic on the final day.