A DERBY blockbuster will open the brand new Division One North season tomorrow.

Wrexham meet Mold in what should be a cracking start the the 2024/25 campaign.

“We’re looking forward to getting the league campaign underway this weekend, it’s an exciting way to start against Mold too,” said Wrexham skipper Jack Harrison.

“We’ve had a good pre-season with a couple of promising performances and we feel in a good place going into the new season.

“After last year, we know we’re not going into the unknown anymore, we know what we’re going to be coming up against, as do the other teams when they face us.

“A key thing for us this season is to get more accurate and more clinical. We know we can create chances with the way we try and play, but now we have to start nailing them.

“The biggest work on, however, is our defence, we let too many games slip last year through poor defensive sets and that’s been a big focus during pre-season.

“Hopefully we can bring together everything we’ve worked on and pick up a positive result this weekend.”

Mold head coach Alex Jones said: “Both came up at the same time and Wrexham did really well last season.

“They managed the expectations of Division One better than Division Two teams have in the past.

“They challenged well and finished mid-table and they will be very interested in doing the same thing.

“Our main goal is to win. Ultimately, that’s what we’re there to do.”

A good end to last season meant Mold staved off the threat of relegation and Jones has paid tribute to the work of his predecessor Oli Heald.

“I had a chat with the club and fair play to Oli and the team, they have got the club to where they were,” he added.

“It’s about building on the legacy they have left.

“Ultimately, we want to stay in Division One and we want our second team to push for promotion.”

Ross Jones has taken over from James Portsmouth as Mold’s first team captain.

Defending champions Nant Conwy start their season at Llandudno, while newly promoted Denbigh open with a big Vale of Clwyd derby at Ruthin.

There are home contests to begin the season for COBRA and Llangefni, versus Bala and Bethesda respectively, while Caernarfon visit Gwynedd rivals Pwllheli.

Shotton Steel have announced that they won’t be participating in the league over the coming season.

A post on the club’s Facebook page said: “We regret to inform our supporters and the community that Shotton Steel RFC will be unable to participate in both Men and Women’s league fixtures this season due to a significant drop in playing numbers.

“This decision was not made lightly, and we are committed to rebuilding and coming back stronger.

“This doesn’t effect our mini and junior section who continue to grow our future senior teams players and coaches.”

Division Two North fixtures: Caernarfon Ath v Nant Conwy 2nds; Colwyn Bay v Abergele; Machynlleth v Dolgellau; Newtown v Welshpool.

Mold Athletic will begin the Division Three North East season at home to Flint and Wrexham Athletic welcome Rhosllanerchrugog.

Other fixtures: Llanidloes v COBRA Athletic; Rhyl Athletic v Denbigh Athletic.