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Players have come and gone, pre-season has begun, the fixtures have been released. It won't be long until the rollercoaster of WSL2 is upon us and our three North East teams. It doesn't feel that long ago since the 2025/26 season ended with a North East derby and a huge investment but, in the period between then and now, plenty has happened. Sunderland were in the process of receiving large investment from Bay FC in America. This has been completed and with it plenty of transfer movement on Wearside. Following the announcement, Mel Reay moved quickly in the break to secure many of her first team squad on contract extensions. The Black Cats have brought in eight new players to the replace the same number departing, including club products and favourites Louise Griffiths and Libby McInnes. Their latest acquisition, Kassandra Missipo, comes with more than 60 caps for Belgium and a wealth of experience in the Belgian, Swiss and Italian Leagues. She joins other signings such as Atlanta Primus and Fran Stenson who are well-versed in WSL2. They kick-off the WSL2 season at Eppleton against Bristol City, a team expected to be there or thereabouts in the promotion race. With Reanne Skinner, former Lionesses' Assistant with even more WSL experience, in place as technical director alongside Reay, you would expect a good show from Sunderland this season. Newcastle have had changes in their backroom staff as well in their make-up of the squad. To date, 11 players have arrived replacing the 10 that have departed, retired or returned to their parent club after the end of the last campaign, when Tanya Oxtoby's team finished seventh. She has also brought in Charlie Cave, who worked under her for Northern Ireland, and promoted former player and Under-16coach Rachel Furness as her Assistants. They start their campaign with a home game in Gateshead against newly-promoted Wolves. Before then, fans will get a chance to see the new signings such as Scotland's Martha Thomas, Irish international Leanne Kiernan and returning Mollie Lambert from Durham, at St James' Park against Inter Milan, as part of the 'Visit Malta Weekender' this weekend. They complete their public preparations in a fortnight facing Burnley at the GIS (with a Spanish camp before that). Durham Women have had the most traumatic post-season. Finishing on a high with a good run-in and a win in Gateshead, all seemed to be well; but then came the news that investors had pulled out and with changes in WSL requirements, a large-scale investment was needed or the club would fold. A nervous couple of weeks thankfully ended with Geoff Thompson, the chairman of South Shields FC, stepping in with the much-needed funds. The Shields' link has also brought further opportunities, with Durham set to play their cup games matches in Jarrow; the league easing away from teams playing on artificial surfaces (as Newcastle's move to Gateshead last year suggested). With Manchester United, Everton and Newcastle visiting in the League Cup (or "Players' Cup"), there will be some large crowds there. Due to the uncertainty, you'd expect the Blues to be behind in their preparations but this doesn't seem to be the case. Five experienced players have arrived at Maiden Castle, replacing seven who have departed., while Willie Kirk, a man with a great wealth of experience in both WSL and WSL2, has taken up the reins as head coach. There certainly were many positive signs last week against Celtic but they will being looking at a couple more additions before their trip to St Helens at the end of the month for their final friendly against Liverpool. Like their local rivals, Durham are at home on the opening day, welcoming Southampton.