Went to the NW Mens League Meeting last night - a few points:

League starts on April 21st but will be preceded in all of March by a series of mini-leagues between local areas (like a Northern Rail Cup). We need to decide whether we'd want to enter that or go straight into league.

North West Counties sides can switch-over from winter to summer ready for April if they wish.

Admin procedures need to be formalised but they are likely to be very similar to existing arrangements.

We need to formally apply for the summer league by January 15th - hard copy forms were given out last night.

They put up proposed league structures...4 divisions (Prem and 1, 2, 3) and a merit league below. All yet to be finalised!

We'e discussed elsewhere but for me there is no need for a local mini-league. We've told all the lads the league starts late April and pre-season will probably start late Feb, I don't want to start changing that now. Also, if it's a regional league will it pitch us against higher level sides like Cobras, etc? Seems pretty pointless.

We can arrange a few pre-season friendlies ourselves.

I think it's important they get the divisional standards right at this stage. Last winter season I would have happily gone for a decent division but with the personnel losses we've sustained (I make it around 20 lads) and the numbers of new lads on board (and with more coming), I think it's only sensible to play our first season at an appropriate level.