After all of the pre-amble and pre-season friendlies, the Acclaim Handling Community Stadium hosts the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division curtain raiser when Erith and Belvedere play Greenwich Borough.

Last season, the Deres finished in eleventh place in the table with thirteen wins, seven draws, and sixteen defeats. They had an outside chance of a place in the play-offs at the end of February until winning just one of their last eight games. In the latter games they blooded some young players who have come up through their age groups and that should stand them in good stead for the future.

Meanwhile, AFC Greenwich Borough took their first ever season of existence by the scruff of the neck by winning the first division title. They also like to give youth a chance and won twenty-eight, drew two and lost four to win the league by two points from SE Dons (who went up via the play-offs). They won their last six league games, conceding just one goal, as they showed that despite the young average age, they could perform under pressure.

While Danny Alexander has been working hard on recruiting the right players for his Deres squad, Greenwich Borough have appointed the new management team of Tony Russell and Joe Vines. The pair enjoyed success at Cray Wanderers and Lewes, and enjoy building sides with a style that’s attractive to the eye.

It will be the first ever meeting between the two clubs and there’s no form guide, however, it will be an interesting evening for the Deres’ Jack Sammoutis as he played for the original Greenwich Borough back in the 2017/18 season.