It will be a case of déjà vu on Saturday as Prestwich Heys get the new North West Counties League Premier Division season under way at Adie Moran Park with the visit of Burscough (3pm).

The sides also met on the opening day of last season, with Heys running out 3-0 winners. Over the course of the season Burscough were to avenge that defeat with a 3-1 win in the return fixture last November.

The campaign was to offer contrasting fortunes for both teams - Heys came seventh in the Premier Division table, while the Linnets were to finish in a relegation position but were reprieved due to their points-per-game ratio when the FA League’s committee met to decide the constitutions for this season.

For Heys, last season was something of a roller coaster but ultimately a seventh-placed finish represented a good return for Lee 0’Brien and James Hampson in their first season in charge and they have made some astute signings across all areas.

Jerome Wright, a defender of huge experience, has been signed from Wythenshawe Town, while top scorer from 2021/22, Jack Coop, has returned and flying wide man Rio Wilson-Heyes, who made 108 Heys appearances between 2017 and 2019 is also back. Kayle Power, an energetic midfielder, joins from Whalley Range, while striker Luke Nicholls has been signed from Atherton Collieries.

Experienced midfielder Malachi Slaven, who had brief spell at the club a few years back, has been re-signed. Defensively, Heys have added Nathan Bartram who has been a consistent figure at the heart of Squires Gate defence in recent years.

Two players that missed the whole of last season through injury are now back to bolster the squad. Young forward Bailey Dawes, who came through the youth ranks and the highly influential former FC United and Bury man Greg Daniels are now both fully fit.

Having secured young defenders Regan Brown and Jacob Ngoy on contracts, Heys have also headed off great interest to secure striker Rio Clegg on a 12-month deal.

It all means Heys, who also host newly-promoted Pilkington, at home, in a league fixture next Tuesday (7.45pm) go into the season in good shape.