Some unfamiliar names will be providing the opposition at Bower Park in the 21-22 season starting in September.
Aspatria will ply their trade in the Durham/Northumberland Division 1 which as the title suggest means that all their opponents are based in the north east.
The decision to go east rather than take the usual route down the M6 to Lancashire was taken to freshen up the fixture list.
Club Treasurer Barney Clegg said that when the opportunity to choose between east and west came about it was an easy decision.
“We have not played the likes of West Hartlepool, Percy Park or Northern for many years and it will be good to meet them again and give both our players and supporters a new experience. The interest in the fixtures is already high with nearly all games taken by local business for sponsorship” he said.
The squad is unchanged and will be bolstered by some very experience players returning to the club, amongst these are heavyweight backs Lee Askew and Tom Gardner both returning to the area.
“Leading up to play being suspended the blend of youth and experience at Bower Park was already paying dividends and gaining high praise from both supporters and the coaching team and if we can hit the ground running there is every chance we can challenge at the right end of the table.
“The importance of the 21-22 season cannot be under estimated.
“Rugby Union leagues will be overhauled for season 22-23 and at Aspatria’s level it is speculated that a Top 4 finish may be required to achieve a place in a league that allows travel outside Cumbria’s boundaries and delivers a level of challenge that the club wants.”
The Black Reds will open the new season on September 4 with a home game against Sunderland.
