The Liverpool County Premier League kicks off on August 14 with 15 teams battling it out to be crowned champions.
BRNESC
“I think everyone at the club feels like we have been unlucky over the past couple of years but ultimately the best team always wins the league.
“I feel like we have now got the experience and quality to finally win the league this year if the squad shows commitment to win each game.
“At the end of the season, I said we needed to keep the squad together and add a fresh face or two to keep everyone on their toes.
“Unfortunately, we lost one but we have brought in two quality players that have certainly made us stronger.
“I am looking forward to the season ahead and I hope we can bring more success to this historical club.”
Home pitch: Jeffrey Humble, Long Lane, L9.
Opening fixtures: Bernie Mays (A), Orient FC (H), Lower Breck Res (A).
East Villa
In the stop-start mini-league that the Liverpool County Premier League arranged, East Villa finished third from bottom with just two wins from 10.
They will be hoping to replicate the form from three seasons ago as they finished runners-up, six points off eventual winners Waterloo Dock.
Opening fixtures: Orient FC (H), Knotty Ash (A), Liverpool NALGO (H).
FC Bernie Mays
Bernie Mays were automatically promoted to the Premier Division falling just behind FC Empress in the First Division.
They face a number of tough tasks in the opening month of the season with experienced sides in BRNESC and Knotty Ash as well as Lower Breck Reserves.
Opening fixtures: BRNESC (H), Lower Breck Res (H), Knotty Ash (A).
Knotty Ash
Knotty Ash will be hoping to build on the mini-season in what is hoped to be a full unharmed campaign.
Their 10 points in as many game saw them finish seventh in the league.
Opening fixtures: East Villa (H), Bernie Mays (H).
Home pitch: John Bosco School
Halewood Apollo
Halewood Apollo made the jump into the Premier Division from the First Division, despite finishing third, joining FC Empress and Bernie Mays in promotion.
A team not to be undermined after they beat Bernies 4-1 in the second tier during the mini-league at the beginning of the year.
Opening fixtures: Lower Breck Res (H), Old Xavs (H), MSB Woolton (A).
Home pitch: Halewood Leisure
Liver Academy
“After a frustrating season where we suffered injuries to key players and a drop in commitment levels from players. We have regrouped and brought in some new younger faces this season.
“Whilst like most teams we feel on our day and at full strength we can compete with anyone in the league a realistic aim for the season would be to finish in the top half of the table and hopefully pick up a cup to give us something to celebrate.”
Opening fixtures: Waterloo Dock (H), Sefton Athletic (H).
Home pitch: John Bosco School
Liverpool NALGO
The reigning champions will be looking to make it back to back triumphs in the county comp.
A last-minute penalty saw NALGO win the league in dramatic fashion, pipping the Dock to another league trophy.
They won the league by a point after going unbeaten in their 10 games.
Opening fixtures: The Empress (A), MSB Woolton (A), East Villa (A).
Lower Breck Res
“We at Lower Breck reserves are very much looking forward to the season ahead. We’ve got what we believe to be our strongest squad to date, and the biggest numbers we’ve had so far.
“[We’ve] Brought in some quality additions this season to the team to go alongside a great bunch of lads who’ve been here from the start. We’re hoping to really give it a good go this season and hope to be giving the teams who finished above us last season a hard time.
“We know this league well, we’re in our third year in the county premier league now and that’s where every season we aim to stay this season no different.
“We’re going in to the new season unbeaten in pre season picking up three wins, two draws from our five games and having scored 26 goals along the way.
“Our firepower this season is looking next level, hoping the lads carry this run of good form in to the new season and beyond.”
Opening fixtures: Halewood Apollo (A), FC Bernie Mays (A), BRNESC (H).
Home pitch: Anfield Sports & Community Centre
MSB Woolton
“We are looking to get back in the mix again come the end of the season, challenging for honours, after the frustrations of the last 2 curtailed ones.
“We didn’t get going in the post lockdown premier league, so we are expecting the players to step up this time around.
“This summer has been really busy in preparing for the season ahead. The players have trained well and we have had some really hard games to test ourselves against. We have also added a reserve team and have some excellent young lads coming through the ranks who will hopefully challenge for a 1st team shirt, sooner rather than later.
“The Premier Division competition is strong again, with a host of top Liverpool teams who will be pushing for the title and we couldn’t have a more difficult start playing the champions on the 21st August.
“As ever we’re looking forward to, and excited by the challenge ahead this season.”
Opening fixtures: Liverpool NALGO (A), Halewood Apollo (H).
Home pitch: Simpson’s Hub, Hillfoot Road, Liverpool, L25 7UJ (Pitch 1)
Old Xaverians
“This season we’re under new management with Calum Woods being appointed as our new player-manager.
“New faces have been brought in and we’re confident with we can lay the foundations for a strong season.
“We were founded in 1892 & this season will be our 130th year as a club.”
Opening fixtures: Sefton Athletic (A), Halewood Apollo (A), The Empress (A).
Home pitch: St Francis Xavier’s College on Woolton Hill Road
Page Celtic
Page Celtic finished in the top five, last season but they will have the summit in their sights.
It’s a free month for Celts going into the opening month.
Home pitch: Lord Derby Academy.
Orient FC
“We have for the coming 21/22 season renamed to Orient F.C. formerly known for many many years as Quarry Bank Old Boys who have maintained deep roots in grass roots football and shared a lot of successes along the way.
“We re-named purely on the basis that the old committee served a retirement notice therefore we have taken the same group of players, installed a brand new committee to ensure we remain in the top flight and have everything in place for many years to come.
“The previous season 20/21 was our initial season in the LCPL after being admitted by both league and the FA.
“A lot of people were skeptical on how we would perform amongst the “best of the best” – but its safe to say we definitely cemented our place in the top flight given we finished in fourth position with only four points being the difference of winning the league.
“Our previous season which gained us promotion to the LCPL 19/20 was one for the record books, having played 16 games, and losing none drawing two – we secured the league title.
“We have already played a number of friendlies with local Liverpool teams and secured solid wins – but more importantly the minutes for pre-competition fitness.
“We are very much looking forward to the season ahead and hope to win this league by a very clear margin.”
Opening fixtures: East Villa (A), BRNESC (A), Waterloo Dock (A).
Home pitch: Shankly Playing Fields – Barnfield Dr, Liverpool L12 1LB
Sefton Athletic
“I think as most teams will say in the league, we aim to finish as high as possible.
“There’s no point competing if your aspirations aren’t to win the league and any cups you’re involved in.
“Just taking part not really what we’re about. We struggled last year with injuries and never really got going but hope to give a better account of ourselves this year.”
Opening fixtures: Old Xavs (H), Waterloo Dock (H), Liver Academy (A).
Home pitch: LCFA Sefton
The Empress
The Empress come into the season off the back of being crowned First Division winners.
They were confirmed champions after a draw between Bernie Mays and Garston which sealed their triumph by three-points.
“We are hoping to go into the Premier Division and compete and show a good account of ourselves against some of the best teams in the city.
“As for expectations with the lads we’ve brought in, I’d expect us to be around the top half of the table and establish ourselves in the division to get ready to push further on in the future.”
Opening fixtures: Liverpool NALGO (H), Old Xaverians (H).
Waterloo Dock
The 2018-19 winners will be looking to go one better after narrowly missing out on the title last season.
Six-time winners of the competition, the Dock are one of the most successful clubs in the city as well as the county Premier League.
With the full season ahead, they will be looking to take home more than one piece of silverware.
Opening fixtures: Liver Academy (A), Sefton Athletic (A), Orient FC (H).
Home pitch: Anfield Sports and Community Centre
(Featured image by Nick Gerrard)
