THE new junior football season is just two weeks away and the five local sides have all been adding to their squads to prepare for their campaigns.

There will be one notable absentee this season in the shape of Kelty Hearts, who will be playing in the East of Scotland League as they bid to climb the Scottish Football Association pyramid with an ultimate aim of making the Scottish League structure.

But for Hill of Beath Hawthorn and Dundonald Bluebell their aim is to be up their challenging in the East Super League.

The East of Scotland Junior FA made the decision to retain Newtongrange Star as Kelty’s replacements despite them having lost a play-off and there will be three newcomers to the top league.

These are Sauchie, Kennoway Star Hearts and Forfar West End, who have come up from the Premier League.

Both the Haws and Dundonald will be confident of making an impact in the division and have been adding to their squads.

Haws have a new manager in the shape of Kevin Fotheringham and he has been adjusting to losing defender Colin Wilson and midfielder Adam Moffat to Bluebell.

He has brought in Michael Lee from Kennoway, Lee Schiavone from St Andrews United and Lewis Elder, the high scoring Lochgelly Albert striker, but he is still looking for a couple of more players to finalise things.

Said Kevin: “We have some good players at Keir’s Park and I want them to go out there and really enjoy what they are doing.

“It will be a tough league but we want to start well and if we can establish ourselves in the top half of the table we can take things from there.”

Haws will open their programme against Lochee United in Dundee on August 5 then the following Wednesday will be at home to Kennoway Star Hearts in a Fife derby.

TIMES PREDICTION: It will take time for the new look Haws squad to settle but Kevin Fotheringham’s aim to be a top eight side will be realised.

Dundonald had a great season last term and finished in the top five of the Super League in their first sojourn at this level.

Manager Stevie Kay wants to build on that and has been adding to his squad to prepare for the second season upstairs which can sometimes be more difficult.

He has brought in goalkeeper Jordan Mushet and defenders Colin Wilson and Scott Durie, along with midfielder Adam Moffat and striker Callum Smith.

Stevie is pleased to get that sort of quality player at Moorside but he knows that to repeat the success of last season will not be easy.

Said Stevie: “We had some great games last season and scored a lot of goals and recorded a few what would be described as unexpected wins over big teams.

“But the thing is we could have had even more because there were quite a few games where we lost or drew because me missed too many chances.

“The squad is stronger, I feel, so hopefully we can start well and get early points on the board and build on that.

“There are no easy games in the Super League so we will have to be at our best every match.”

The Bluebell’s first two games are away from Moorside, opening on August 5 against Newtongrange Star and then on the Wednesday they travel to Jeanfield Swifts.

TIMES PREDICTION: Bluebell to be challenging for top six spot and watch out for some exciting cup runs, including the ‘Scottish’.

Lochgelly Albert had a great season last term and had it not been for some strange unaccountable failures against weaker sides in the South Division they could have won promotion.

However, manager Craig Ness has managed to keep a number of the players who did well for him last term and has been adding several new acquisitions for the campaign which will be a tough one with Armadale Thistle in the division along with Harthill Royal, now back in action.

Out are Craig Paterson and Andy Watt, who have gone to Crossgates Primrose, and high scoring Lewis Elder who has joined Hill of Beath Hawthorn, plus Stevie Brown has retired.

In are Josh McPhie, a midfielder from Kelty Hearts; strikers Calum Geddes from Kirkcaldy YM and Chris Ireland from Thornton Hibs; link man Scott Renton, from Hill of Beath; and young midfielders Joe Kirby from Kelty Hearts Colts and Ricki Cooper from Glenrothes Juniors 19s.

Said Albert secretary Ian Patrick: “We have lost a couple of good players but the manager has recruited well and by the time we get to August 5 we should be ready for the big kick-off.

“It will be an interesting division this season with Armadale Thistle being in it and of course Pumpherston will be a very strong side.

“If we can produce the consistent form of the second-half of the season we can be up there competing.”

Work has been completed on refurbishing the surface of Gardiner’s Park so the club will play its first three home games away from home starting with Craigroyston on August 5 and then Oakley United on August 12.

TIMES PREDICTION: The South Division will be as tough as it has been but the Albert will be up there challenge for the top two places and watch out for a couple of cup shocks from the Gardiner’s Parkers.

Lochore Welfare had problems last season with a lack of resources on and off the park which meant that they struggled in the bottom three of the North Division.

However, things have been changing at Central Park and Welfare fans can look forward to better times this season.

An appeal to the Benarty public for people to come forward to join the committee has produced results and now the club has a solid base to build on.

Said Welfare's John Kirkland: “There was an excellent turn out to the special general meeting earlier this month and we have a committee of ten running the club.

“There is tremendous enthusiasm there and they are eager to get things done and it is helping manager Andy Healey piece together his squad for the new season.”

Lochore had a very young team last season but experienced front man James Adam and ‘keeper Gary Inglis are back on board and former player Davie Byrne has joined up from Kirkcaldy YM, while goalscorer Keiran Hicks has also re-signed and Andy expects to have a squad of 18 or so to look to move up the table.

TIMES PREDICTION: Welfare to have a much better season. Will be a solid mid table side this season and will pose problems for the bigger clubs in the North Division.

News on Crossgates Primrose next week.