THE 2003-04 campaign promises to be a big year for all five North-East clubs, writes PAUL FRASER.

High-flying Newcastle United will be gunning for glory in the Premiership and competing in the Champions League once more. Middlesbrough boss Steve McClaren has eyes on silverware and a UEFA Cup place, while Sunderland will be looking to bounce straight back from a season in the Nationwide League.

Hartlepool United are desperately hoping to consolidate their position in the Second Division, where Darlington will be hoping to join them by winning promotion in their first season at the Reynolds Arena.

But while fans eagerly await the Nationwide openers on August 9, the real action will start seven days later when the Premiership season kicks-off.

On the first day Newcastle United's new signing Lee Bowyer and teammate Jonathan Woodgate will be returning to Leeds for the first time as players.

And Elland Road chief Peter Reid is expecting a white-hot atmosphere for the pair when they enter the field wearing a black and white shirt.

"The fact that some of our ex-players are coming back in Lee Bowyer and Jonathan Woodgate will make it interesting to say the least, and it's always good pitting your wits against Bobby Robson," said former Sunderland chief Reid.

Middlesbrough start with a long away trip to Fulham and on the same day Sunderland entertain Millwall in their first home game in the First Division.

Likewise, Hartlepool - who will have a new manager by then - should attract a large crowd for their Victoria Park curtain-raiser against Tranmere.

And Darlington, in their new 27,000 stadium - will be hoping to put plenty of bums-on-seats for their match with Kidderminster.

Back in the top-flight and although the Leeds clash will catch the eye, it will be August 23 when this region will really get the feel that the Premiership season has begun, when it plays host to the two sides who have dominated the top-flight for the past eight years.

Champions Manchester United, without David Beckham, are due to go to rivals Newcastle, while another pretender to United's crown - Arsenal - are due to travel to Middlesbrough.

Magpies boss Robson, who knows his side finish the campaign with a potentially mouth-watering trip to Liverpool, said: "We have an excellent record at Elland Road so we'll be looking to maintain that, and as for Manchester United, they convincingly beat us at St. James' Park last season, as Leeds did too, so we'll be looking to put that right immediately.

"It's a tough end to the season for us also at Anfield, but of course every game you play in the Premiership is a difficult challenge to overcome."

Boro boss McClaren, whose side face Newcastle at the Riverside on October 18, is aware his side must overcome last season's away-day blues if they are to enjoy a good start.

The Teessiders' first three away games are at Fulham, Leicester and Bolton, and McClaren said: "We certainly shouldn't be afraid of going to places like that.

"We have got to have confidence that we can go there and win. It's certainly a tough opening ten games."

After Sunderland's match at Nottingham Forest, Mick McCarthy will take on the club where he made his name in the management game - Millwall.

And should the Black Cats be battling for promotion come May they will end the campaign by visiting Burnley on May 9.

Newly-promoted Pool start off at Peterborough and the games their fans will look forward to the most, Sheffield Wednesday, are at Victoria Park on October 11 and at Hillsborough on February 14.

Pool host Chris Turner's side in a pre-season friendly on July 26 and Turner said: "I think the league game is about 11 into the season so we should know how things are going by then.

"I am looking forward to coming back, I really did enjoy my time there.

"I am not sure what reaction I will get, you never know, but I hope they appreciate what I did there. I only left because Wednesday is the team I have supported all my life and I couldn't turn them down."

Skipper Micky Barron said: "To be honest, I've only seen the first three games so far - but even just looking at those three you can see we are making a big step up.

"We've played Peterborough plenty of times while I've been here and we know all about them, but then it's Tranmere and Bristol City, who know all about this league.

"Of course it's going to be tough, but that's why we were promoted - we want to be playing against the better teams every week." Darlington skipper Craig Liddle can't wait to play his first game in front of Quakers supporters for the first time at the Reynolds Arena. And Liddle, whose side play Kidderminster after the a trip to Hull, said: "It should be a fantastic day for the club. It looks as though everything is going well and the stadium will be finished on time so it looks good.

"Hopefully there will be a big crowd for the opening game with Kidderminster, who should also bring a few up, and it would be nice to open it with a win."

l The Premier League last night launched the beginning of another revolution in football on television as they threw open the doors for broadcasters to bid for the rights to screen matches from 2004-2007. The number of matches that will be shown live from 2004 will rise from the current 106 games - which includes 40 on pay-per-view - to 138. There will also be a greatly-enhanced highlights package on offer and the chance for channels to show delayed transmission of full games.