THE region’s leading clubs line-up for the start of the MM-NL Mid Wales League this weekend.

Builth Wells have appointed ex-Rhayader Town manager and Caersws assistant Dylan McPhee to spearhead their return to the first division following last season’s second division title success.

The Bulls have raided Knighton Town with goalkeeper Stuart Turpin, defender Sam Roff, midfielder Danny Ives and strikers Luke Hicks and Mark Jones arriving at the Lant.

McPhee said: “We will certainly be looking to compete. Although there are some strong sides we are are confident of competing at the very top with our acquisitions.”

Knighton Town will rebuild under Adriano Girolami this season.

The well travelled Hereford based manager succeeds from Adam Worton who was joined by striker Connor Bird in switching to Llanidloes Town.

While goalkeeper Jake Woodhouse is joined by midfielder Luke Kirby and striker Owen Holdsworth at Bryn-Y-Castell the Robins will mainly be relying on graduates of the club’s junior sides making the step up this season.

Radnor Valley go into the new campaign with confidence with Paul Morgan and Adam Jones jointly at the helm with Zeke Vivian arriving from Kington Town as player-coach

Vivian is joined by Callum Davies, Jack Price and Fred Newtown making the switch from Kington Town while defender Mark Davies arrives from Pegasus to fill the boots of Dewi Allen who has joined Llanidloes Town.

Morgan said: “We’re thrilled to maintain the majority of last years squad.

“A lot of the lads have now played at least five years together and our average age of most games last year was still only 22.

“With the league getting more competitive this year we remain confident of causing some surprises and challenge at the top end of the table.”

Llandrindod Wells manager Gareth Jones has kept faith with last season’s squad which struggled against the drop for most of the campaign.

Defender Corin Jones and goalkeeper Joey Prosser return to Broadway from Knighton Town as the Spamen seek to climb the table with top scorer Kieran McCarley once again leading the line.

However Jones has also completed a coup with the arrival of midfielder Mike Collister from Caersws while promising Penybont United pair Sam De Groot and Dan Paisola-Jones have also signed.

Rhayader Town are back in the second division after sweeping all before them in the Watson Financial Mid Wales League (South) last season.

The Red Kites, managed by Gareth Hughes and Mattie Lewis, have retained the majority of their youthful squad while adding goalkeeper Jake Brown from Carno and Penybont’s Alfie Roberts with Ryan Rowlands departing for Carno.

Hay St Marys have welcomed the return of Brendan Hackett from Wellington Town and Tom James from Knighton Town as part of their summer strengthening while local rivals Brecon Northcote will look to challenge following last season’s third place finish,

Manager Anthony Thornley said: “We struggle to sign players due to the travel demands of this league but we hope to be competitive again in a tough league.”

Newbridge have raided Penybont United for a host of players to bolster their squad ahead of an expected push for promotion while Presteigne have signed virtually a new squad during the summer.

Manager Shaun Harris said: “We will have one of the youngest squads in the league next season and expect a tough campaign.”