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I remember when I was a boy, quite a few years ago now, when for a while cricket and other summer sports could take over from football for a few months. Those days seem a long time ago now. No sooner has the World Cup on our televisions ended, than the local non-league football season is starting. Indeed, Heaton Stannington played their first pre-season friendly on the 3 July, long before the end of the much publicised tournament in the USA, Canada and Mexico. Heaton had a very positive pre-season, fitting in some new players and remained unbeaten throughout. Having beaten neighbours Newcastle Benfield on 3 July, Heaton Stannington got a very credible draw at home to Gateshead from the National League and also won away at Seaham Red Star and got draws north of the border at Dunbar United and in the Northwest at Lancaster City This will be the third season that Heaton Stannington has played in the Northern Premier League East and having flirted with relegation in their first season, last season they finished comfortably in the top half and supporters will be looking forward to a potential push for at least a playoff place this season. Supporters of Heaton Stannington will also be hoping that this is the season when they get a really good run in one of the two big cup competitions. The Stan are at home to Wythenshawe from Manchester in the FA Trophy And at the time of writing are due to play either Newton Aycliffe or Kendall Town in the first preliminary round of the FA Cup. Friends of Bylines Network There has never been a greater need for grassroots journalism that investigates the stories that really matter, holds power to account and champions the voices of everyday citizens. We are proudly powered by volunteers but what we do isn’t free. STAND WITH US for independent, citizen-led journalism that makes democracy stronger, and you will even get some exclusive benefits. Other news Elsewhere in the Northern non-league scene another very interesting season lies in front of us. It remains to be seen if Gateshead can continue their good run of form from the end of last season having lost manager rob Elliott to Carlisle United. Meanwhile near newly promoted neighbours Hebburn Town will be competing in the National League North along with Spennymoor town and South Shields. In Northern Premier League, the runaway winners of the Northern Premier League East from last season, Redcar Athletic will be attempting to gain another promotion. There will no doubt be face competition among Northeast clubs in the Northern Premier League East with relegated Morpeth Town joining Consett, Dunston, Ashington, West Auckland and Heaton Stannington. Meanwhile newly relegated Blyth Town, Newton Aycliffe and Bishop Auckland will be looking to bounce straight back to the Northern Premier League East from Northern league Division One, but will face stiff competition form the likes of Northumberland Senior Cup holders Whitley Bay, Newcastle Blue Star and Shildon. In Northern League Division Two Boldon CA and Billingham Town have made impressive starts with four wins out of four and AFC Newbiggin and Tow Law Town have 100% records after three games each. It has all the makings of being another great non-league in the Northeast, as crowds continue to grow and non-league football demonstrates that it can be a worthwhile and exciting alternative to Premier League and Championship football. It usually costs about a tenner to watch what are often very good games of football and spectators can do so knowing that they’re watching teams rooted in their local area who are simply interested in providing entertainment and support for the local community and have no other, darker agendas. So, if you want a good 90 minutes of entertainment and honest football why not head along to your local non-league club next season? You can learn more about Heaton Stannington here . You can learn more about the Northern League here . You can learn more about the Northern Premier League here .