ALTHOUGH the football season seemingly only finished a matter of weeks ago, several teams in the region are already making plans ahead of the next campaign.
Teams including Wallington and Prudhoe Youth Club Seniors have also already played their first pre-season games, while a number of other sides are adding to their squads ahead of the 2021/22 season getting underway later this summer.
Saturday saw Prudhoe - who will return to action in Division One of the Northern Football Alliance this season following the another Covid-hit season - welcome Northern League Washington F. C. to Kimberley Park.
An entertaining match ended in the sides drawing the game 3-3, with several first team regulars all getting a run out ahead of the new season.
These included Matty Robinson - who was named man of the match - Owen Lee and Jordan Watson, with all three players getting their names on the scoresheet.
Premier Division Ponteland have also already been in action having played two games.
On July 6, they hosted West Allotment Celtic, with the Northern League side walking away with a 0-1 win.
Saturday saw them again action at home - this time against Heriot-Watt University FC - although they again suffered defeat by a scoreline of 0-3.
On Wednesday evening, Ponteland are set to travel to another Northern League side - Heaton Stannington - for their third pre-season match.
At Wallington, they recently hosted a Whickham FC U23 side and claimed a large 6-1 victory.
Haltwhistle Jubilee meanwhile - who this season will move up to the Premier Division within the Northern Alliance for the first time, have made a number of signings ahead of the new campaign.
The Jubes - who have now moved up divisions for the last three years in a row - have both signed a number of new players as well as welcoming old faces back to the club.
These include midfield Ryan Scott, goalkeeper Thomas Craney and former Carlisle City full back Josh Morely.
Ricky Hayes - who played for the side during their Sunday League days - and Reece Thirtle have also signed on for the new season.
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