PHC Zebras and St George’s Colts will officially kick off the 2024-25 football season when they lock horns in the Charity Cup at Devonshire Rec tomorrow night (8pm).

Premier Division champions Zebras are gunning for a record-equalling eighth victory in the match, while FA Cup winners St George’s are making their first appearance in the traditional curtain-raiser.

Quincy Hunt, the PHC coach, is bracing himself for what he anticipates will be a close battle between the two sides.

“St George’s are a good young team with lot of talented players, so respect is due to them,” he told The Royal Gazette.

“I feel that Jarreau [former coach Jarreau Hayward] did a good job in getting them to where they are, so they will be looking to build on that.

“We respect every team but we go out to try and win games. We want to win every game if we can.

“The players are up for it and it takes a lot of different things to win games. It’s a little luck plus putting the ball in the back of the net, which both teams can do, so it could go either way.”

PHC picked up seven players during the transfer period, among them former North Village striker D’Andre Wainwright, whose family holds close ties with his new club.

“We have coaches who played with his dad [Dennis Wainwright Jr] so he has Zebra blood in him,” Hunt said.

“I told him he should have been a Zebra a long time ago but I am just glad to have him.”

Wainwright scored in Village’s 2-0 win over PHC in last season’s Charity Cup, with former PHC player Tre Ming also getting his name on the scoresheet as Village won the event for the eighth time.

Daylen Heaven, Enoch Joseph, Jaylen Heaven, Haile Eve, Maasai Wilson and Tariq Bean are the remaining players PHC picked up over the summer break.

“All of those who have come onboard are quality and are bringing something to the team which we are lacking,” Hunt said.

Among those opting to leave the club are Shane Robinson, Cory Booth, Mikal Simmons and Eijaz Shakir.

As well as former head coach Hayward, St George’s have lost the services of Jonté Smith, Manoj Paynter and Paul Simons.

Despite having led St George’s to their first-ever FA Cup title, club officials decided not to extend Hayward’s contract after reviewing the team’s performance in the Premier Division last season. The former St George’s defender has since joined Dandy Town as part of Kyle Lightbourne’s backroom staff.

It is understood that St George’s midfielder Drewonde Bascome has replaced Hayward and will be in charge of the team for the first time on Sunday.

Striker Smith has joined Village, Paynter has gone to Devonshire Cougars while Simons has taken his services to X-Roads.

Meanwhile, football continues with a Dudley Eve Trophy double-header at Devonshire Rec on Monday as holders North Village begin the defence of their title.

Kenny Thompson’s team will face Paget (5pm) while Devonshire Cougars are up against promoted Devonshire Colts (3pm) in an intriguing Devonshire derby. Both matches take place at Devonshire Rec.