The new Stroud and District Football League season has been up and running for a couple of weeks now so in the second of our articles, The Local Answer’s ‘Man in the Know’ takes a look at the teams who are likely to make an impact in Division Two in 2017/18.

“Last season’s top two Division Three teams should be the benchmark that everyone else will need to aspire to this season,” he said.

“Minchinhampton and Rodborough Old Boys were the stand-out teams last season with Minchinhampton going the entire season undefeated.

“On early-season form, Rodborough look as though they have strengthened their club squad of players yet again and may be the ones who top the table come the end of April.

“Minchinhampton suffered an eye-opening heavy defeat in their first league game at Tibberton so will do well to bounce back straight away. Both teams will be looking for strong cup runs too this season, having under-achieved in recent seasons.

“The reserve teams of Cam, Quedgeley and Sharpness should be more than a match for most Division Two teams this season and all could and probably should end up in the top half of the table.

“For each of these teams to challenge for promotion and even the title, it may depend upon the relative strength and success of their first teams, all whom compete in Northern Senior League Division One. All three teams are undefeated at this stage of the season.

“Tibberton, Didmarton, Bush and Trident have shown mixed early-season form, with Trident looking for a quick turnaround in performances to avoid a season-long flirtation in the relegation zone.

“All these clubs are single team clubs and anything more than a mid-table position will depend on their off-season recruitment and their relative squad size while not being able to draw upon reserve team players.

“Tibberton appear to have the biggest changes in squad personnel, while Bush have forged a good relationship with their ground-sharing hosts Shurdington Rovers from the Cheltenham League and may be looking to strengthen their Division two status.

“Didmarton won the Charity Cup last season and are always an attractive team to watch and tough team to play, especially at home.

“Having just missed out on automatic promotion last season, some might expect that Horsley United might be one of the teams pushing Minchinhampton and Rodborough all the way. However, after an exodus of regular first team players in the off-season, Horsley will be primarily engaged on maintaining their Division Two status.

“Longford will also be tasked with stabilising the club’s league position. Having suffered back-to-back relegations in the past two seasons, their first team now have to battle with up-and-coming teams hungry for further success. The team have a new management and are confident that they will be able to build in strength as the season develops.

“Another team with a big change in personnel are Longlevens 3rds. Having struggled at the end of last season, a number of 4th and 5th team players were expected to step up, along with a new crop of youth team players. Longlevens’ aspirations for this team may just be to preserve their division status and give the youth a chance to break into the club’s team structure.

“Eastcombe may just be the joker in the pack. Having struggled last season, a late season improvement in form enabled them to avoid relegation. The question will be whether they can carry on with this form and get into the mix of outside promotion shots. Early season signs are good and although they may not go all the way, on good days they may just surprise teams at the top.”