NORTH cannot wait for the new season to begin tonight with the Martinez Cup after their ‘nightmare summer’.

The chocolate and blues have not had the best of times since being crowned the inaugural champions of the Senior County Division One last season.

They suffered a mass exodus with close to 10 players joining other clubs, or seeking to do so.

The situation has got so bad that they refused to countersign rising star James Mullen’s transfer request to go to Guernsey Athletics, which was due to go before the Guernsey Football Association last night.

Tonight, North have their first competitive match of the 2009-2010 campaign when they meet Bels in the Guernsey answer to the Community Shield – the Frederick Martinez Cup.

North boss Mick Le Prevost is philosophical about the last couple of months that his club have endured.

‘It’s a been a nightmare, but that’s part and parcel of football,’ he said.

‘I’m concentrating on my team and getting everybody up and ready for the season.’

Alongside all the players he lost through transfers, Le Prevost is also struggling with a number of injury problems. Both captain Darren Martin and island star Craig Young came off during North’s friendly match at Jersey’s St Peter on Saturday.