LESS than a month before the start of a new season in the Costcutter Ceredigion Football League there are major developments at top local clubs.

A big talking point is the appointment of former skipper and defender Steve 'Blackie' Blackford as new player/manager of champions Cardigan Town.

The 42-year-old sweeper replaces Seamus Doherty who is understood to be one of the backroom staff along with chief club sponsor Robert Davies of Robert Davies Motors.

Blackford takes over at a time when goalkeeper Casey Walters is joining Goodwick United in the Pembrokeshire League and pacey striker John Lumb switching to the oval ball code with Newcastle Emlyn in the WRU Swalec Championship.

A big boost is Aberystwyth Town target 16-year-old striker Liam Doherty opting to have another season with Town – the talented front-runner picked up an injury during recent training for the Ysgol Uwchradd Aberteifi rugby tour to Canada and is likely to be sidelined for up to six weeks.

Across the Teifi at St Dogmaels no-nonsense central defender Chris Thomas has become player/manager of St Dogmaels and it is understood that former boss Steve Jerry Williams is one of those helping behind the scenes.

As Saints notched a 3-1 pre-season friendly win over Cardigan-based Maesglas last week the north Pembrokeshire villagers were dealt a blow with news that inspirational midfielder John Curran, the current captain of Llechryd Cricket Club, is moving to Newcastle Emlyn.

At Emlyn where player/manager Steve Hicks has departed the new man at the helm is former player Gethin 'Nant' Davies.

Davies, who runs Castle Heating and Gas Services at Parc Tanygroes, is boosted by the arrival of Saints midfielder Curran and the team is likely to be led once again by classy front-runner Peter Almond.