Evo-Stik Northern Premier League champions Altrincham are returning to the National League North for the 2018/19 season, after playing for one season in the seventh tier.
The Greater Manchester based side stormed to the league title last term picking up 95 points, 13 points ahead of eventual play-off winners Ashton United, and in the process scoring over 100 league goals.
However, unlike Ashton United, Altrincham are very familiar opponents to Harriers, with the two sides having faced each other 21 times since the turn of the millenium. The most recent meeting came in April 2017 at Moss Lane, Harriers winning 4-1 thanks to goals from James McQuilkin, Joe Ironside, Andre Brown and Emmanuel Sonupé.
The 2016/17 season marked a contrast for the two sides with Harriers finishing in second place, and Altrincham finishing 22nd and relegated. However, a great 17/18 season ensured their stay in the seventh tier lasted for just one season.
After beginning the season with just one point from their opening three matches, Phil Parkinson’s team quickly found form between mid-August and mid-December, going on a remarkable run of two losses from just 25 matches.