Champions Bedale will be led by their top player Phil Martin after fears he might be missing for a large chunk of the new season.

Martin, who returned to the area after studies at university to lead the side, had been planning to go on a world tour.

But a league spokesman said Martin's decision to complete at least half the season was a big boost for Bedale on the eve of the new fixtures.

The league suffered a blow when its only West Yorkshire side - Otley - decided to pull out. They had been given special permission last year to break the league's boundary rule after some former Ripon players had decided to back the venture.

However, a spin-off for the withdrawal of Otley is that captain Steve Thackwray has decided to play for Harrogate-based Harlow. But Matthew Wood will play the new season in the Yorkshire League.

The former Ripon side had a nomadic existence after their courts were sold for housing development several years ago, leaving the city without squash courts.