SPORTS reporter Dean Jones gives his predictions on each Huws Gray Alliance position ahead of the new season.

1. Rhyl:

The Lilywhites are primed for a title tilt after securing a host of impressive signings during an extremely busy summer, as Eddie Maurice-Jones looks to improve the club’s fortunes following their lowest ever league finish since re-entering the Welsh pyramid system.

They have a good balance within the squad and have the right quality and togetherness to get them over the line during the critical run in.

2. Bangor City:

The Citizens are another of the fancied sides, despite a turbulent summer that has seen a wealth of changes following their demotion to the JD Welsh Premier League, but they have invested heavily with a view to making an instant return to the top flight.

Having the most successful manager in recent Welsh football history in Craig Harrison has attracted a high-profile list of signatures, and with firepower such as Les Davies and Marc Williams they won’t be far away at the end of the campaign.

3. Airbus Broughton:

The Wingmakers are another side that have lofty ambitions this term after a season of relative underachievement, and they are going to have a huge say in where the title ends up with another strong squad at their disposal.

Striker Asa Hamilton will provide a physical presence upfront after joining from Guilsfield, and Ryan Edwards is another talented individual that is sure to be a huge contributing factor in any success that comes their way.

4. Flint Town United:

The Huws Gray Cup winners have brought in a plethora of exciting and experienced players this summer ahead of Niall McGuinness’ first full season in-charge, and there is a strong belief within the squad of making a title challenge this time around.

They have a formidable rearguard that has been further boosted with the signings of Mike Williams, Sam Hart, Tom Kemp and Jack Lewis, and there is plenty to like about their forward options that include Jack Higgins, Mamudo Dabo and playmaker Mark Cadwallader.

5. Porthmadog:

Port have the potential to emerge as the surprise package of the season after securing a host of key signings to offset the loss of influential duo Sion Bradley and Cai Jones to Caernarfon Town.

Warren Duckett is one of the most experience midfielders in the division and has enjoyed a glittering playing career, with the enigmatic Shaun Cavanagh another that will be counted on to provide moments of magic and finally realise his undoubted potential.

Goalkeeper Paul Pritchard is another very good addition to the squad, and with Ceri James, Julian Williams and Sion Edwards all still part of the set-up their ceiling is very high.

6. Gresford Athletic:

Although Athletic have lost Max Peate and Dave McIntyre to rivals Rhyl, manager Steve Halliwell has managed to put together a squad more than capable of troubling most teams operating in the second tier.

Goalkeeper Mike Jones and forward Jordan MacCarter are two that have a huge amount of potential, but much will depend on the form of Jake Eyre in terms of how high they can finish.

7. Prestatyn Town:

It has been a summer of significant change at the Motion Finance Stadium, but the new-look Seasiders have the potential to surprise more than a few sides given the strength within the squad.

Joint-managers Leon Field and Ryan Turner may not have managed at this level before, but they are no stranger to success and in Sam Kersh they have one of the most gifted centre halves plying their trade in the HGA.

They will need to start well to avoid complications, but those that have already written them off may have to eat their words come the end of the campaign.

8. Holyhead Hotspur:

There is no denying that a team with the quality of the Holy Islanders massively underachieved last season, and new manager Darren Garmey is sure to bring improvement from his squad after replacing Campbell Harrison this summer.

Big things are expected from talented forward John Littlemore after the new management team convinced him to stay on, and it will be interesting to see how promising youngster Harry Galeotti fares after making a move from Llangefni Town.

9. Holywell Town:

Another club to undergo fierce changes are the Wellmen, who now have Gareth Sudlow at the helm after the resignation of long-serving and hugely successful boss Johnny Haseldin.

The new management team, which also includes Dave Sweet and Andy Lewis, have lost goalkeeper Shaun Pearson and skipper Steve Thomas to Llandudno but they have managed to keep hold of the majority of the side that performed so well last season that will stand them in good stead going forward.

10. Denbigh Town:

There is no trace of the management team or playing staff that finished runners-up behind Caernarfon last season, which has left the chances of them repeating this extraordinary feat as slim.

That being said, Matthew Jones and Dewi Llion have assembled a good squad that is going to be very competitive, and with the returning Mark Roberts leading from the front their progress during a season of transition is going to be something to keep an eye on as the campaign develops.

11. Conwy Borough:

The Tangerines are back in the second tier after securing a notable treble last season, and Gareth Thomas has kept faith with the squad as they look to re-establish themselves within the division.

Their attacking line of Corrig McGonigle, Dean Seager and Lee Thomas is sure to give opposing defences all sorts of problems, but the transition is never easy so their home form at Y Morfa will be crucial.

12. Ruthin Town:

Talented Town manager Chris Williams will once again be heavily reliant on the form of Llyr Morris, who emerged as one of the standout performers last season on his way to the top scorer title.

Whether he can replicate his phenomenal record this season remains to be seen, but there is enough talent within the squad to ensure that he will be given plenty of chances after turning down a host of offers from elsewhere to remain at the club.

13. Penrhyncoch:

The Roosters are another side that have exceeded expectations of late, and they have strengthen their squad significantly to ensure they don’t get left behind this term.

Luke Sherbon is a supreme talent that is capable of changing games on his own, and his presence within the set-up is going to give them a massive boost providing he hits the ground running.

14. Guilsfield:

Losing Asa Hamilton is a huge blow for the Guils, who have punched well above their weight for a long time in the HGA, but with so much investment being made elsewhere, it is difficult to envisage them reaching the heights of years gone by.

15. Buckley Town:

Newly promoted Buckley Town make a welcome return to the HGA and their immediate objectives must be to remain in the division so that they can build and progress in the coming years.

Keeping Tom Gunson, Luke Douglas, Rob Jones, Keiron Moore and Ryan Dunn on the books is a huge positive that they can lean on during difficult times of the campaign, and their form at The Globe needs to be very strong for them to achieve survival.

16. Llanrhaedr ym Mochant:

Graham Evans and Mark Griffiths have a huge job on at the newly promoted side, who are thoroughly deserving of the place in the second tier but might find life very difficult.