THE Hereford Times will again be sponsoring the Herefordshire Football League this season after a four-year gap.

One of the features of the sponsorship will be a club of the week award which will run throughout the season.

At the end of the season, there will be a presentation to the club which has contributed most to the league season on and off the pitch.

On the eve of the new season, Weobley have surrendered their position in the league's Premier Division after losing several of last season's players.

"Weobley asked to be demoted from the Premier Division and we complied with that request," said league secretary Pete Stead.

"We placed them in Division One but they did not believe they had sufficient strength to compete even in that division.

Fownhope Reserves, however, wished to go up from Division Two to Division One, so they have been place in Division One with Weobley taking the place in Division Two.

ORLETON Colts have signed four new players as they look to start life in Herefordshire League Premier Division.

Jamie Broome and Martin Edwards have joined from Ludlow Colts, Scott Davies links up from Brimfield and Nathan Hardisty comes in after finding himself without a club.

Orleton manager Kristian Morgan believes that the new acquisitions will improve his team.

"Scott is a centre-half, Jamie and Martin are midfielders and Nathan is a striker, so it's a good mix," said Morgan.

"Only Adam Rooke has left from last season.

"The aim will be to stay up after back to back promotions and may be have a cup run."

The north Herefordshire team will be pitting their wits against some big teams in the Premier Division after gaining promotion from Division One last season.

"Westfields Reserves will be the one to watch out for," said Morgan.

"The management team at Ewyas Harold have gone there, so they should be strong.

"I don't know too much about the league and last played in it when I was at Woofferton 10 years ago.

"Staying up will be a good achievement."