In welcoming the start of the new campaign League Chairman Lord Mawhinney called on League clubs to continue delivering the exciting, committed football that made last season's Coca-Cola Championship, Coca-Cola League 1 and Coca-Cola League 2 among the most competitive competitions in European football.

Lord Mawhinney said: "Close, hard-fought matches have become the hallmark of our three divisions.  Each week anyone can beat anyone. 

"That's what supporters love to see and that is why attendances at League matches are at the highest levels for almost fifty years."

Just 13 points covered the six clubs that finished in the Promotion and Play-Off places making last season's Coca-Cola Championship one of the most exciting in recent memory. 

In fact, no other major European League was as closely fought.  The nearest challengers being Spain's Primera Liga and Coca-Cola League 1 with 16 points covering the top six clubs in each. Coca-Cola League 2 was one point further back on 17 points along with Germany's Bundesliga 2.

Mawhinney continued: "Nowhere in Europe were games as unpredictable and competitive as those in the Championship, whilst Leagues 1 and 2 also provided compelling entertainment.

"This year is set to be no different with optimism high, across the clubs, that this will be their season.  As ever, it is very difficult to predict who will be successful this time around but what is for certain is that it will be another ten months of enthralling matches right across the Coca Football League."