ST HELENS Town continue their pre-season build up tonight when they take on Paul Jewell's Wigan Athletic at Knowsley Road.

The game continues Town's preparation for the North West Counties League season which kicks off on August 18 with a trip to Maine Road.

It is a repeat of last season's opener when a 2-1 win set Town on their way to almost winning the title.

But alas it was not to be, although it means the squad this term will be even more determined to secure a place in the Unibond League.

Town then continue on their travels with a local derby at Prescot Cables on Tuesday, August 21 before completing a trio of away games when embarking upon this year's Axa FA Cup trail at Brandon United of County Durham.

Four clubs who have tasted Unibond League Football are back on Town's itinerary this term, namely Warrington Town, Winsford United, Atherton L.R. and Congleton Town, the latter taking their place in Town's history as being the first opponents they faced when the new NWCL was formed in 1982, following the merging of the old Lancashire Combination and Cheshire County Leagues.

Congleton, along with Winsford, have been relegated from the Unibond League whilst Atherton L. R. and Warrington Town have been promoted from division two of the N.W.C.L.

Tonight's visit by Wigan Athletic is a prestige fixture indeed with the man in the middle being none other than St Helens' own Chris Foy, who has made it onto the Carling Premiership's newly established list of full time professional referees.

A tremendous achievement for a whistler, who started at grass roots level in St Helens.

The kick off at Knowsley Road tonight is 7.30pm. Admission is £3, £1.50 concessions, free for Saints season ticket holders.

On Saturday Jimmy McBride takes his squad to the Wirral to face Poulton Vics, kick off 3pm.