The 2024/25 season has arrived as the Lock Stock Ardal North-West and North-East begin next week.

As ever Lock Stock Self Storage will be keeping a close eye on the competition as the league’s title sponsors and look forward to exciting battles across the divisions.

Here, we take a look ahead to the upcoming campaign starting with the Ardal North-West.

Promotion Race

The promotion race has been alive and well in the North-West for a number of years with the race going down to the wire over the last few seasons. This year the race is set to be even closer with a more than a few hoping to lift silverware at the end of the year.

Porthmadog return to the third tier this year following relegation from the JD Cymru North and will be keen to bounce straight back up after suffering relegation on the last day back in April. Meanwhile Holyhead Hotspur finished fourth last term and look strong this summer, a return to the Cymru North could be on the cards.

CPD Y Rhyl 1879 have lost out on promotion two years in a row and will be keen to at least crack the top two to be in with a chance of promotion via the title or the playoffs and end their frustration.

New Kids on the Block

Five sides were promoted from the fourth tier last term with a number of intriguing clubs joining the division. Treaddur Bay won 25 of their 28 games in the North Wales Coast West Premier Division last season as they ended the campaign unbeaten.

Corwen sealed the North East Wales Premier Division and under new management will be keen to cement their place back in the Ardal Leagues. NFA arrive at this level for the first time and will look to challenge local rivals Rhyl and establish themselves whilst Menai Bridge Tigers will aim to compete with a new breed of opposition.

Finally Connah’s Quay Town are another new face and would be more than satisfied with sticking around in the league this season and building on their success.

Dark Horses

After flirting with the top sides before mounting a charge for promotion last season, Llay Miners Welfare will be a blueprint for a number of teams this season. The likes of St Asaph City who finished in the top six upon their return to the league will be hoping to go one better whilst the likes of Nantlle Vale and aforementioned Treaddur Bay will be ones to watch.

Opening Day

You don’t need to look far to see which game stands out on the opening day. An all–Rhyl derby between NFA and CPD Y Rhyl 1879 at Belle Vue is one of four matches to kick us off on Tuesday July 30th.

That same night will see Llanrwst United host Nantlle Vale, an Ynys Mon derby between Llangefni Town and Menai Bridge Tigers and Porthmadog take on Pwllheli at Y Traeth.

On the Wednesday Conwy face Felinheli, St Asaph City play host to Llanefydd whilst an all-Anglesey clash between Holyhead and Treaddur Bay is sure to whet the appetite. Finally, last seasons NEWFA Premier title rivals Corwen and Connah’s Quay square off at War Memorial Park.

Good luck to the players, coaches, volunteers and supporters in the Lock Stock Ardal North-West this season!