The Liverpool Business Houses Championship is a division with 12 clubs vying to be promoted into the top flight.
Canada and Dengo United failed to beat the drop and as a result the intensity of the division went up a notch as the two historic Liverpool Sunday football teams were relegated.
The Brow reigned victorious with MacKenzies following them through the automatic promotion spot.
The likes of Mottram, Mount Carmel and Claybrow will all be looking to see their name on the Championship trophy come the end of the season and get out the division they very nearly did a matter of months ago.
But they face stiff competition with the Canada and Dengo looking to bounce right back up.
Allerton FC
Allerton have two tough tasks to kick start their season with a difficult test against Mottram before a trip to face Kirkdale.
BRNESC FC
BRNESC won 14 of their 26 games last season but could only manage a sixth placed finish.
They face Division One champions Coffeehouse on the opening day before a trip to Taggy’s.
Canada FC
“We’d have to say that our hope is to achieve promotion at the first time of asking. With that being said having a new manager and a number of new faces in the squad, we are gonna have to come straight out of the traps.
“If we don’t we know plenty of the other teams in the Divison will be flying. I don’t think some people realise the quality of teams and players with in the Divison.
“So we can’t take our eyes off anybody. I know after not having any cup competitions the last season that Jasper will definitely have an eye on them too.
“A good cup run brings the lads closer together and can spur you on for the league. We’ve had a really good pre season and I know the lads are looking forward to the challenge ahead of them.
“We had a meeting at the end of last season and we were all gutted with our performances from the manager through to the players. They felt they’d let me down and themselves. They also felt they’d let all the old fellas who come along to watch and help out down. So they wanna put it right straight away.”
Clay Brow
“We are hoping to win the division, anything else will be a failed season for us this year. We took four or five games to get to the pace of the division last season, which set us back massively.
“We have lost a couple of key players from last season, but also brought a few good lads in. One thing we learned last season, is you can’t go into games at 50-60 per cent.
“So our recruitment has had to be right, to make sure we are at 100 per cent in every game we play in.”
Coffee House FC
“Me and the lads know that this season is going to be tougher than last season but everyone is right up for it and with a few new signings we will be ready for any team.
“We hope to carry on from last year and hopefully start the season strong, I am expecting good things this season and will definitely be fighting for the title.
“Not a bad first season for the team that just got put together within a couple of weeks between a gang of mates. Looking forward to see what this season brings.”
Dengo United FC
“This season is a rebuild season for us. In truth we probably needed the relegation to allow this to happen as we limped through last season with a squad were the most committed players were all the oldest at 36/37.
“This season will be a new looking squad and we have taken on six orr seven U18 players who although are top players will take a while to adjust to open age football. Success will depend on how quick they take to it and how committed more senior players are.”
Kirkdale FC
Kirkdale managed a mid table finish in the Championship last season, they face the recently relegated Dengo on the opening day.
Mottram FC
“[Our hopes are] to win the Championship and get promoted to the Premier Division. It’s the strongest squad we’ve had in 11 years it’s going to be a big, big failure if we aren’t competing in the Business Houses Premier Division this time next year.”
Mount Carmel FC
“We just want to enjoy our footy again put last season behind us n go again and hopefully be up there come end of the season, the Championship got stronger this year with some good teams so most weeks will be better games which will benefit us, something we are all looking forward to.”
Taggy’s FC
“Overall, my hope is for a massive improvement upon last season. With a completely depleted squad we stayed strong till the last game and I think if you looked at the table at Christmas, we was dead in the water.
“A few new faces and the return of key players was pivotal in our redemption in what was otherwise a very poor season. We have been used to success and once stepping up to the next level we lost our first seven games and was left behind ‘Like a rabbit caught in headlights’.
“We had 12/13 players most weeks, most of which were not good enough to cut it at this level. We now have a solid squad with 25 players signed on. Along with quantity we have quality, newer, younger and fresher players who we have brought in.
“We look like a completely different concept and with balance of young and experienced it is looking like we will have a team to really tackle this division. My approach and focus as a manager now has completely changed.
“Fitness and possession football has been drilled into the players throughout preseason and this has brought about better results in both halves of the pitch.
“My expectation is that we start the division a lot better than last season so we’re not chasing points and get back our identity as a team that make every team scrap for every ball. I expect more goals going forward, less conceded, and we will take it one game at a time, we now know the opposition and we know a lot of the players we will be up against.
“There are very good teams in this division and I’m hoping that we will be recognised as one of these teams throughout the season. I’m excited to get going. I’ve got 25 players fighting for 11 starting places with fitness levels far better than any of the previous seasons. ‘I’m ready and the lads are too’.”
The Lingmell FC
Lingmell were nearest challengers to the runaway champions Coffeehouse last season and earned promotion in to the Champonship.
They host Claybrow on the opening day before facing Mottram.
The Village FC
The Village will be hoping to improve on their 10th place finish from last season.
They face a difficult start against last season promotion chasers Mount Carmel and then Claybrow.
