RE-NAMED and rebranded, there is a mood of optimism at Leigh Genesis as they prepare for a new season in the UniBond Premier League.

Steve Bleasdale’s team, the former Leigh RMI, kick off the campaign at Eastwood Town tomorrow, hoping for a good start under their new banner.

Driven by their enthusiastic chairman, Dominic Speakman, Leigh have undergone a huge makeover and are relishing the move into the new stadium at Leigh Sports Village in November.

After several seasons of struggling at the wrong end of both the Blue Square Premier and Blue Square North, Leigh are joint-favourites to win the UniBond title, and, with Bleasdale having strengthened his squad, they have good reason to be optimistic.

FC United kick off their UniBond Premier League season at home to Matlock Town chasing a fourth successive promotion.

Manager, Karl Marginson, believes the Gigg Lane tenants can continue their meteoric rise, but admits they face their toughest test to date.

“The teams will have that extra bit of quality to add to the strength and physical size of sides in the first division, but I’m sure we’ll cope,” he said.

Radcliffe Borough kick off at home to Ossett Albion, determined to avoid a repeat of last season’s nightmare start.

It took Boro until Christmas to register their first win in the UniBond First Division, but manager, Gerry Luczka, believes he has good team spirit at Stainton Park.

“We want a winning start and I’m sure we can do that, if we continue to believe in ourselves,” he said.