For the fourth time in five years Glossop find themselves in a new division without any promotion or relegation. After two years of hurt being cast into the South East Division the Hillmen have been moved into a much favorable West Division.

In previous seasons Glossop have travelled over 2600 miles to away games with the average distance of 137 miles, and our nearest matches being Stocksbridge and Sheffield. This was a result of "finding the best option for all teams" throughout step 4 in the NPL, but as we now know this hindered player recruitment for previous gaffers and put Glossop at a disadvantage when trying to be competitive in the division.

We now find ourselves in the West Division with an average distance of only 100 miles and a total of 1900 miles, the second least Glossop will have had to travel at Step 4.

New manager Stuart Mellish said "the new division will be a massive game changer to what we can achieve and will open up new players who i can attract to the football club compared to playing in the South East".

Media Director Chris Haughton has said "It's great for the club to be playing in the West Division. The previous two seasons have really stretched the finances with so much away travel and the reduced number of travelling fans hitting the home attendances. Having some old rival teams and some very local derbies to play again like Mossley, Runcorn, 1874 and Trafford will bring back some memories for the supporters, especially the 14/15 season with our title run in against Linnets. The West Division, although possibly more competitive than the South East, is a good thing for Glossop"

With the fixtures due out around mid July, and pre-season training starting in early June, it really does feel like "football is coming home" to bring a bit more normality to life.

NPL Div 1 North West
1 1874 Northwich
2 Bootle
3 City of Liverpool
4 Clitheroe
5 Colne
6 Glossop North End
7 Kendal Town
8 Kidsgrove Athletic
9 Leek Town
10 Marine
11 Market Drayton Town
12 Mossley
13 Newcastle Town
14 Prescot Cables
15 Ramsbottom United
16 Runcorn Linnets
17 Trafford
18 Warrington Rylands
19 Widnes
20 Workington