The Wildcats have already had one run this season against Tuncurry-Forster in the FFA Cup. This finished a 2-2 draw, with the Wildcats losing on penalties to bow out of the competition.

Coach Ben Sedlen confirmed the Wildcats will meet a side from Coffs Harbour on March 21 and a Newcastle-area combination on March 28.

The Wildcats will also enter a side in this weekend's Viking Challenge at Forster this weekend, although Sedlen said this is more an amalgam of players from a number of clubs.

"We had too many players involved with cricket to put in a team from our club,'' he explained.

So far he's been happy with the preperation.

"Numbers have been good,'' he said.

"We've got 28 players on the books.''

Sedlen added the nucleus of last season's players will be starters again.

Taree had a disappointing campaign in 2014, missing the first grade semi-finals for the first time this decade.

Meanwhile Old Bar's goal keeping stocks have received a boost going into this season's Football Mid North Coast Premier League competition.

Former Wingham keeper David Castro has joined the Barbarians. Castro was among Wingham's most consistent players last year, despite playing behind a struggling side. Wingham has been relegated to the southern all age competition this year.

However, he'll have the task of unseating Old Bar's incumbent, Adam Lydiate.

"I rate Adam as the best keeper in the competition,'' Old Bar coach Anthony Beckett said.

"But David's a good keeper and he'll be a great backup - you never know what can happen.

Old Bar will play at least two trials games before the season opener on April 11. They'll meet Mayfield United on March 14 and Tuncurry-Forster on March 21 before preparing to tackle Kempsey Saints in the opening premier league round.

Beckett, who returns to the premier league coaching scene this season, said there will be some newcomers in the roster.

Former Wingham players Adam Ihlow and Dave French will join Castro at the club while a newcomer to the area, Luke Collier has signed on.

"We have a couple of other former players returning this year,'' Beckett said.

"We're getting around 24 to training, which isn't too bad, although we would welcome some more.''

A positive note for the Barbarians is the condition of the club's home ground, the Trad Complex.

"It's the best it's been since we started playing there,'' Beckett said.