'What they've have done over last few years is exceptional' : NIFL chief in praise of local football clubs
Big interview: we talk to Andy Johnston ahead of new season
The new Danske Bank Premiership season gets under way on Saturday (August 4) – with 10 teams in action.
There are also four BetMcLean League Cup games.
Pick of the league games sees Glentoran take on Cliftonville at the Oval while Glenavon entertain Linfield.
Elsewhere, Coleraine are at home to Warrenpoint; Dungannon Swifts meet Ballymena United.
And the two newly promoted sides, Institute and Newry meet at the revamped Brandywell.
Andy Johnston, NIFL’s managing director, is predicting a big season for the league.
But he says the success in recent years has been no accident.
“The work that the clubs have done over the last four or five years has been exceptional,” he said. “They’ve grown themselves as businesses to grow themselves as community hubs.
“Maybe this has been unappreciated and undervalued at times but the work the clubs have done has been exceptional.”
And he said he was looking forward to seeing how all of the clubs progress including champions Crusaders’ adopting a three-quarter pro-model this season.
“There are some exciting projects under way – Crusaders are commencing an exciting project,” he said.
“And we have seen clubs doing relatively well in Europe.
“I think it’s very exciting times for the league and we hope we can progress the way we have been.
“We welcome both Institute and Newry into the Premiership and I think they will be great additions.
“I know they are both very enthusiastic and looking forward to the campaign beginning.
“As fate would have it, they play each other in the opening day of the season.”
Meanwhile, the Crues begin their campaign on Monday (Aug 6) at home to Ards