CHIRK won't be easing themselves into life in Division Two of the Shropshire County League - captain Andrew Swarbrick declaring: "We want to win the title".

There is a "buzz" back at Holyhead Road as Chirk embark on a new adventure after their 2018 North Wales League Premier Division finished without so much as a single victory.

It was always Chirk's intention to finally take up a long-standing invitation to join the Shropshire League, and after last year, the timing felt right with Swarbrick and his team-mates eager to get going.

A visit from Shifnal Thirds awaits Chirk today, the home side eager to work their way up through the divisions as quickly as possible.

Swarbrick said: "We want to win the league and make a massive statement.

"It's a step into the unknown for us - we haven't got a clue about our opposition - but people don't know who we are either.

"I want us to go through the season unbeaten and all of the lads are ready for what will be an exciting season.

"It feels great to be going into a new league and the buzz is back after not getting a win last season and not being able to compete at times either.

"If we are on our game we can beat anyone and we all can't wait to get started."

The third-tier of the Shropshire League is likely to be far less taxing than the top-flight of the North Wales League, but Swarbrick isn't taking anything for granted.

"You can only beat what is put in-front of you," he continued. "We obviously want to be playing the best teams in the Shropshire League and that means getting promotion, but you have to earn the right and we intend to do that like we did in the North Wales League.

"I know we've got the talent in the club to compete. We showed that last season at Menai Bridge, who won the title. We took possibly the worst ever Chirk team there and they couldn't bowl us out."

Swarbrick's title challenge has been boosted by the increased availability of top order batsman Gareth Partridge, who will "feel like a new signing" while all-rounder Chris Martin is back for a second spell at the club.

Chris Pritchard is taking a year out from the game, while Steve Kelshaw is unavailable for the opening weekend in what is an otherwise full-strength Chirk XI.

"Everything seems very professional," added Swarbrick. "We had a captains meeting on Tuesday and picked up the balls with Shropshire League written on them, so we are ready to go."