BARNTON Wanderers, following their most successful campaign to date in the Crewe and District League, will step up to the Cheshire League from next season.

They are one of three new teams accepted to the competition’s second tier following last week’s Special General Meeting (SGM).

Wanderers placed third overall in the Crewe and District League Premier Division last term, adding the AJ Cooke Cup too after a 3-1 victory in the final against Cuddington reserves.

It was a highlight of only their third season as a side playing senior football.

Sale Town and Warrington Town reserves are the other new entrants to the Cheshire League’s Division Two, while relegated Lostock Gralam and Grappenhall Sports drop down.

The Grey Lambs, promoted as champions in 2010, are replaced by Northwich rivals Barnton.

Under the joint management of Ian Ross and Kevin Towey, the Villagers have ended a four-season stay outside of the top flight after finishing first at the level below.

The duo also guided Barnton to the last four of the Cheshire FA Amateur Cup and the Division Two Cup, while they were runners-up in the Mid Cheshire District FA Challenge Cup.

Rudheath Social, who pipped Barnton in that competition, will join them in Division One after finishing second last term.

Champions Knutsford take on Eagle Sports in the league’s Memorial Cup campaign curtain-raiser on Saturday, August 3, kick off 3pm.

The season proper in both divisions follows seven days later.

Cheshire League
Constitution for 2013-2014
Division One (16 teams)

Barnton (promoted as Division Two champions); Billinge; Crewe FC; Denton Town; Eagle Sports; Gamesley; Garswood United; Greenalls Padgate St Oswalds; Knutsford; Linotype Cheadle Heath Nomads; Middlewich Town; Pilkington; Rylands; Rudheath Social (promoted as Division Two runners-up); Styal; Whaley Bridge

Division Two (17 teams)
Barnton Wanderers (new entrant); Congleton Vale; Daten; Egerton; Golborne Sports; Grappenhall Sports (relegated from Division One); Lostock Gralam (relegated from Division One); Maine Road reserves; Malpas; Moore United; Penlake; Poynton; Runcorn Town reserves; Sale Town (new entrant); Sandbach United; Tarporley Victoria; Warrington Town reserves (new entrant)