MONTEGO BAY, St James — Teams Faulkland FC of St James and Three Miles River of Westmoreland will make their first-ever appearance in a Jamaica Football Federation’s (JFF) Western Confederation Charlie’s JB Rum Super League game today as the season kicks off with a triple-header at Jarrett Park, starting at 3:00 pm.

Faulkland FC have moved smoothly through the St James league, earning promotion every year for the last three seasons after winning the Division One and Senior League the last two seasons, and will face last season’s beaten finalists Sandals Whitehouse in the 5:00 pm game.

Three Miles River won the Westmoreland Major League last season for their first-ever title at that level and will kick off the season against Trelawny’s Clark’s Town, the beaten mid-season finalists last year.

Defending champions Granville FC of St James will open their defence against another promoted team, Hopewell United of Hanover, in the 7:00 pm feature.

Granville FC win their third title last season beating Sandals Whitehouse on penalty kicks in the final at Jarrett Park, but failed to make it past the JFF Premier League play-offs and will line-up in the 12 team league, seeking back-to-back titles.

The other games in the first round will be played on Tuesday; former champions Wadadah FC take on Montego Bay Boys Club in a St James derby at the UDC field, Beaches Negril host Reggae Youths at Long Bay Beach Park, and Petersfield FC host Trelawny’s Holland United — the fourth promoted team.

The Jamaica Observer has learned that former national captain Donovan Ricketts has taken over as coach at Wadadah FC, replacing his brother Daniel.

Twelve teams will compete for the title and the right to contest the Premier League play-offs, and will face each other twice before the top two in each zone advance to the semi-finals.

The top teams on points after the first round will also meet in a mid-season play-off.

Granville FC, Beaches Negril, Clarks Town, Reggae Youths, Three Miles River and Hopewell FC will play in Zone One; while Sandals Whitehouse, Wadadah FC, Petersfield FC, Montego Bay Boys Club, Holland United and Faulkland FC will be in a tough-looking Zone Two.

St James clubs make up nearly half of all the clubs ,taking part with five — Granville FC, Reggae Youths, Wadadah FC, Montego Bay Boys and Girls Club as well as Faulkland FC.

Westmoreland account for four: Sandals Whitehouse, Beaches Negril, Petersfield and Three Miles River. Trelawny will have two teams in Clarks Town and Holland United who are returning after a one-year absence, while Hanover will have just Hopewell United, (formerly Bamboo United) who are returning to the league.