Return to Europe is biggest plus for Yorkshire

However, while that may continue to be true for some of the county’s larger brethren with the two Sheffield clubs and Leeds United enduring a lean spell in their respective histories of late, it has certainly not been the case for others.

Elsewhere, in fact, history has been made over the past couple of seasons courtesy of Wembley appearances for Hull City and Bradford City, while the Blades put recent league troubles behind them to almost do the same by very nearly becoming the first team from the third tier to reach an FA Cup final just a few months ago.

Throw in the continued renaissance of Rotherham United and York City, and there is plenty to look forward to in the coming 2014-15 season even if last term did not go to plan for many of our clubs.

Perhaps the biggest plus this season has already come via the return of competitive European football.

Yorkshire has had many magical nights in Europe down the years, most recently at Middlesbrough as Steve McClaren’s side reached the UEFA Cup final five years after Leeds United reached the last four of the Champions League.

For Boro fans, the wins over Basle and Steau Bucharest at the Riverside in 2006 will never be forgotten, while the slightest mention of the San Siro and a certain goal by Dominic Matteo will elicit an immediate smile from those whose loyalties lay with Leeds.

Hull City supporters will be hoping their own magical memories can be created if, as hoped, their team can battle through to the group stage of the Europa League later this month.

Famous old European names such as Inter Milan, Dynamo Kiev and Borussia Monchengladbach may lay in wait for Steve Bruce’s men in the competition proper, a mouth-watering prospect and one that will make the Tigers the envy of their fellow Yorkshire clubs.

Of course, the priority at the KC Stadium is retaining Premier League status. In that respect, Bruce has again had a productive summer with Robert Snodgrass and Tom Ince joining to bring more flair to a squad that now also has Jake Livermore as a permanent member.

Andrew Robertson and Harry Maguire have also arrived, hence why Bruce has already been able to proclaim the current squad – with justification – as the best in City’s history.

One concern, however, is that the poor form that characterised the second half of last season must not be allowed to continue into this one. Even allowing for the undoubted distraction of appearing in the Cup final, a return of 14 points from the final 19 games was poor.

Ending that run is imperative, so an opening month that brings home games against Stoke and West Ham plus trips to QPR and Aston Villa will have cheered Bruce.

Crystal Palace, Southampton, West Brom, Swansea and Leicester also all have to visit the KC before the turn of the year and if City can claim a decent tally of points then the Premier League may well have a Yorkshire presence come the start of 2015-16.

Whether any of the White Rose county’s Championship sides can make a concerted challenge to join Hull remains to be seen.

But, as with this time last year, the portents are not overly encouraging with Leeds United in a seemingly constant state of flux and Sheffield Wednesday’s takeover still waiting to be given the green light.

The second tier will be strong this year, with all three of the relegated sides hoping to challenge. Fulham, with Ross McCormack, look the best bet to bounce straight back, while Cardiff City will not be far behind along with a host of other sides that include Wigan Athletic, Derby County, Nottingham Forest, Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough.

The capture of Enrique ‘Kike’ Garcia from Spanish club Mercia for £2.7m was Aitor Karanka’s answer to the lean spell that saw Boro fail to score for more than 12 hours during January and February.

Boro’s defence, however, was solid with no goals being conceded at home between mid-December and early March so if ‘Kike’ can hit the goal trail then the Teessiders may well be able to mount a challenge.

Elsewhere, much will depend on James Vaughan staying fit as Huddersfield Town look to banish memories of their struggles in the second half of last season.

Rotherham United, too, face a testing start as they kick-off life in a higher division for the second successive season but may well surprise a few of those who have been tipping Steve Evans’s side – not least the bookmakers – to struggle.

In League One, Nigel Clough has proved an inspired appointment at Sheffield United, who will surely be among the leading challengers.

Barnsley and Doncaster Rovers, meanwhile, are desperate to bounce back at the first attempt, though the collapse of the John Ryan-led takeover last month may well mean consolidation is the order of the day at the Keepmoat.

Bradford City continue to evolve and may well be mid-table again unless Aaron Mclean can reproduce the scoring form of his Peterborough United days.

York City, on the back of a stunning charge up the table from January onwards, are a good bet in League Two to challenge for automatic promotion, though in the Conference FC Halifax Town – still part-time – will surely do well to match last season’s heroics.

The hope, of course, as we await Saturday’s kick-off in the Football League is that this will be a season to remember for Yorkshire football. And if that can include a slice or two of history being created, then all the better.

PREDICTION TIME

Premier League

Champions: Chelsea have the squad and the manager to triumph after some impressive recruitment this summer, just pipping Manchester City. As for the Champions League places, Manchester United should bounce back into the top four while Arsenal are stronger than this time last year.

Relegated: Burnley do not look equipped for anything more than a season among the elite, while West Bromwich and Leicester City should also struggle. QPR should have just enough to stay up along with Crystal Palace, who will find it difficult despite their stunning form in the second half of last season.

Championship

Promoted: Expect Fulham to lead the way in a tight division, closely pursued by Wigan Athletic (runners-up), Derby County, Cardiff City, Blackburn Rovers and Middlesbrough.

Relegated: Blackpool, with the smallest squad in the division, appear doomed, even in August, while Millwall will struggle again along with Birmingham City.

League One

Promoted: Looks to be a much more competitive division than last term but expect Sheffield United to make it fourth time lucky and return to the second tier. Bristol City, Peterborough United, Leyton Orient and Barnsley will also be challenging but could have to make do with the play-offs, with Preston North End looking most likely to clinch automatic alongside the Blades.

Relegated: Colchester United could finally fall along with Port Vale, Oldham Athletic and Rochdale.

League Two

Promoted: Bury will be strong under David Flitcroft and a good bet to land the title. Not much separates the rest, with Nigel Worthington’s York City having as strong a case as anyone in terms of the top three. Stevenage could bounce straight back following relegation to leave Northampton Town, Tranmere Rovers, Southend United and Luton Town battling it out in the play-offs.

Relegated: Dagenham & Redbridge will have it tough along with Exeter.