THE new North Wales Championship kicks off on Friday, August 16 with Guilsfield making the trip to Prestatyn Town.

The championship, formerly the Huws Gray Alliance, will be run by the Football Association of Wales (FAW) from this season as part of the restructure of the Welsh football pyramid.

This season's championship will operate with 17 clubs with the opening Saturday pitting Colwyn Bay at Bangor City.

Bay are returning to Welsh football after two decades in English non league while City survived a massive points deduction to enjoy a reprieve from a second successive demotion.

Elsewhere on the opening weekend Llanrhaeadr host Penrhyncoch in a Mid Wales derby with the match the first Championship game at the host's revamped Tanllan ground.

Last season's Mid Wales League champions also open with a home game with Ruthin Town visiting Mount Field.

Mid Wales football supporters will not have long to wait for further local derbies with Guilsfield hosting Llanrhaeadr on Saturday, August 24 while Llanfair United entertain Penrhyncoch on August 28.

The opening month ends with Guilsfield welcoming Llanfair United to Clos Mytton on August 31 while Llanrhaeadr host Gresford Athletic.