by TONY OSWICK

THE players of the Clacton and District League will be brushing off the cobwebs from their table tennis bats in preparation for the start of the 2015/16 season, which begins on Monday.

Reigning champions Nomads Panthers will be in no mood to relinquish the division one trophy they have won for the last three years.

With James Denyer not expected to play as regularly, Gill Locke and Colin Webber are joined by Sam Hume and John Hatley from last year’s runners-up, Nomads Lions.

And with reserves like Joe Andrews, John Monk and John Poysden, don’t bet against the Panthers taking a fourth title.

On paper, Walton A’s unchanged line-up of Binns, Burrows, Dearman and Gowlett has the look of genuine title contenders, but any meaningful challenge will depend on their ability to consistently turn out a full side.

A re-vamped Windsor Condors sees ex-Brotherhood players Elliott Attrill, Greg Green, Martyn Green and Oli Reynolds link up with Colin Stallwood and Annabelle Rodriguez to form a squad strong enough to fill a top-two position.

Mark Gale’s Walton C and John Hobson’s Windsor Eagles were separated by just two points in fourth and fifth positions last season and both stay unchanged to renew their rivalry.

Kevin James, George Kalli and Paul Woolnough are added to Walton B regulars Buxton, Newbould, Price and Rankin to form an overloaded squad likely to secure a top-half finish.

Windsor Hawks, who are unchanged for a third season running, always provide competitive opposition and will be aiming to settle comfortably and securely in the middle of the table.

With the A team name temporarily retired, Brotherhood B are now the club’s top side.

They keep faith with the squad that battled hard to retain their top-flight status last year and, with both Gracie Edwards and David North capable of improvement, should have no problem surviving.

Alan Burgess, the only player from the old Brotherhood A side who played in every one of their 20 successful seasons, has stayed loyal to the club.

He replaces the absent Gary Stallwood for promoted Brotherhood C and his presence will be crucial in their battle to avoid the drop.

Nomads Lions’ Paul Hume, John Fenton and Adam Wilkin are joined by John Hockley and Brian Parish from the Ocelots side which finished runners-up in division two.

However, their prospects, and final league position, could well rest on the availability of Hume.

Windsor Kestrels, who have added John Harvey to their squad, will have benefitted from the experience of a first season in the top-flight, but their lack of a star player leaves them vulnerable.

And it could be a torrid season for an unchanged Brotherhood D, who were unexpectedly elevated to division one, and they start as pre-season relegation favourites.