WITH the 2015/16 season barely out of the rear view mirror football teams across the Vale are gearing up for the new 2016/17 season.

The landscape has changed in the Premier Division with champions Cardiff Airport finally being promoted to the South Wales Football Association Alliance league leaving a void at the top of the league. Last season's third place team Wenvoe Arms saw disappointment lead to them sadly folding as a club and won't be there to mount a challenge.

Runners-up St Athan will be looking to improve on last season's agonising finale of missing out on the title by two points while fellow Premier Division mainstays Barry Athletic, AFC Rhoose and Cowbridge Town will be looking to challenge.

The top division is looking exceptionally competitive not forgetting Dinas Powys Athletic, Penarth Town and Masons Moving Group and Island Marine adding improvement to their ranks. With newly promoted Vale United and Tynewydd only adding to that competitiveness as they look to carry over their momentum from last term.

In division one, SWFA rules prevented Cogan Coronation from being promoted due to their alliance league side and they will be looking to defend their crown against the likes of Sully Sports and Barry Belgrade. Cardiff Airport's B side cannot be ruled out and once again newly promoted sides Dockers and Barry Athletic B must be seen amongst the favourites.

Division two this season sees no new teams entering, ensuring a competitive league. Knap have been renamed as Barry Saints and will be looking to push on to the top of the league along with last season's third place team Cadoxton Imps. This is the division most open with a number of sides capable.

The new season promises to be one of the most fascinating for quite some time, the competition kicks-off on Saturday, August 20, so make sure to check out the fixtures at valeofglamorganafl.leaguerepublic.com and go along and support your side.