LOCAL football has been given the green light to start the delayed 2020-2021 season.

Axminster Town will be competing in the South West Peninsular Premier East division, the highest standard at which they have played, and will kick off their season on Saturday, September 5 with a game against Dartmouth AFC at Tiger Way, followed another home fixture against Elmore AFC on Wednesday, September 9.

It was announced yesterday that the Devon & Exeter League fixtures will start on Saturday, September 19. Because of the current covid-19 situation, the divisions have been revamped to allow for fewer matches and will be in place for one season only.

There will be two Premier divisions, East and West, and nine other divisions for the competing 122 clubs. Outside the two premier divisions, teams in Divisions 1 and 2 will be classed as senior, with divisions 3 and 4 as intermediate.

Local derbies will feature strongly in Premier East with meetings between old foes, Beer Albion, Seaton Town, Colyton and Lyme Regis. Also in this division are Chard Town Reserves, Dawlish United, Feniton, Kentisbeare, Sidmouth Town 2nds University of Exeter 2nds, Upottery and Whipton and Pinhoe.

Competing In Division 1 East will be Beer Albion 2nds, Clyst Valley 2nds, Dunkeswell Rovers, East Budleigh, Exmouth Rovers, Honiton Town 2nds, Lyme Regis Reserves, Lympstone, Otterton, Teignmouth 2nds and Tipton St John.

Axminster Town have reformed their Reserve team this season and with such a strong squad, managed by former Upottery manager Dan Prettyjohn, they will be disappointed to be placed in Division 2 East where they will meet Axmouth United, Bishops Blaize, Colyton 2nds, Cranbrook, East Budleigh 2nds Exeter United, Feniton 2nds, Millwey Rise, Ottery St Mary 2nds, Pinhoe and Sidmouth Town 3rds.

Farway have been placed in Division 3 East with Millwey Rise 2nds and Seaton Town 2nds in Division 4 East.

• Calling all local clubs in and around the Axminster and Seaton areas. Make sure your club is featured on the Nub News sports portal by emailing your reports and photos to [email protected]