Widnes’ preparations for the 2019/20 BetVictor Northern Premier League Division One West season step up a gear tomorrow night with the visit of Southport in the Whites’ pre-season opener.

The pre-season curtain-raiser against the Sandgrounders, coupled with the release of the full fixture list for league season this evening, have led to palpable excitement ahead of the new campaign.

And with Widnes ready to test themselves at Step 4 for the second successive season, we’ve scanned the fixtures revealed today to pick out some choice cuts for the lads to look forward to.

Saturday, August 17 – Ramsbottom United (A)

Widnes begin the season with a tough opener away at Ramsbottom, but the Whites will be buoyed by picking up four points from a possible six against the Rams last season.

Steve Akrigg and Kev Towey’s men were held to a draw at home to Ramsbottom early last season but dented the Harry Williams Riverside Stadium outfit’s promotion hopes with a 1-0 win away in March – Ben Hodkinson scoring a late winner.

Chris Willcock guided Rammy to a play-off finish last term, and the Bury-based side will no doubt harbour ambitions to go one better this timearound.

Tuesday, September 3 – Marine (A)

A first-ever league meeting with Marine awaits in September as the Crosby-based club celebrate their 125th season after suffering a first relegation in the club’s history in April.

Neil Young is at the helm, and he’ll be aiming to return the Mariners to the summit of the Northern Premier League at the first time of asking, which would be the former Chester manager’s fourth promotion from this division in his career.

Widnes facing Marine in a league fixture is an indicator of the rapid recent rise of the Whites, who will be looking to lay down an early statement of intent.

Tuesday, September 24 – Prescot Cables (A)

Widnes have a number of local derbies to look forward to this term, and they renew acquaintances with Prescot Cables in late September.

Play-off finalists two seasons ago, Cables faced a summer rebuild after the departure of manager Brian Richardson, who led Prescot to three successive Liverpool Senior Cup finals in charge, winning two.

It was Prescot who knocked Widnes out at the semi-final stage of that competition last season on penalties, and the Whites will return to Volair Park hoping to exorcise any demons that still linger from that night in March.

Saturday, October 19 – Pontefract Collieries (H)

Pontefract are one of a number of new teams set to face Widnes this season after the Step 4 divisions were re-aligned.

Collieries finished as runners-up to Morpeth Town in the East division last season, but would lose the play-off final to Brighouse Town, who missed out on promotion due to an inferior PPG record.

The West Yorkshire-based side will be looking to go one better this season, and will provide a stern test for Widnes as an indicator of the strength of the division in 19/20.

Saturday, November 23 – City of Liverpool (A)

Widnes will renew their rivalry with City of Liverpool this season after the Purps were crowned North West Counties Premier Division champions last term – their second promotion in just three seasons.

The two sides have enjoyed heavyweight tussles in both tiers of the North West Counties in seasons gone by, developing a rivalry at the top end of both divisions.

The Whites head to Bootle to face the Purps in a tough November highlighted by trips to Dunston and Pickering Town, as well as home games against Workington and Runcorn Linnets.

Thursday, December 26 – Clitheroe (A) & Wednesday, January 1 – Kendal Town (H)

The festive period sees Widnes face two opponents who will be looking to improve on poor seasons last year.

Clitheroe finished 18th in the West Division last season while Kendal finished second-bottom, receiving only a reprieve from relegation after Colwyn Bay resigned from the league.

The trip to the Blues is a break from the traditional local derby on Boxing Day, while Kendal are the first side Widnes will face in 2020.

Saturday, February 15 – Colne (H)

This was a hugely-entertaining clash last season with Widnes recovering from a two-goal deficit to eventually win 3-2, with Hodkinson netting a late double including a contender for goal of the season to claim all three points.

Colne have strengthened their squad for a push for promotion under Steve Cunningham, and this game could have significant promotion implications come March.

Saturday, April 18 – Runcorn Linnets (A) & Saturday, April 25 – City of Liverpool (H)

Back-to-back local derbies ensure an exciting end to the season.

Widnes will travel to Runcorn Linnets for their penultimate game for the second successive season and will be targeting three points to maintain their 100% record at the Millbank Linnets Stadium.

Both games will mark tussles with sides with play-off ambitions, and could prove to be two of the key battles in the end-of-season run-in.