So here it is - Super League XX. Let’s hope that those numerals represent new Saints skipper Jon Wilkin planting a couple of smackers on that big silver lump come October.

It is hard to believe that it this is the 20th season of Super League; maybe it’s a sign of age but the summers have flown – and apart from the odd blip and that transitional spell post 2008 they have largely been good for Saints who proudly stand atop of the composite table.

If you are a supporter aged 50ish or under it is now likely that you have watched more in the summer era than the old August to May game and the deep seated traditions that went with it.

Summer game! You have to say that with a smile with the season beginning with snow covers on the pitch and blowers on stand-by.

That first season in 1996, if you recall, began in March and was wrapped up by slaughtering Warrington on a baking hot August Bank Holiday with Saints winning the inaugural Super League title on a first past the post basis.

The old system of the champions being determined by the accumulation of league points lasted a couple of summer seasons before we went down the Australian route of play-offs.

And such was the determination to make sure there was no confusion who the champs were, the achievement of finishing top of the pile was initially cast aside and almost deliberately denigrated.

It was only after the Grand Final was well and truly established that the League Leaders Shield was born – and even then it was dismissed as the hubcap.

The top five worked, but was expanded to six – and that appeared to do the job of rewarding league position, but keep interest alive for all clubs who deserved to be up there.

The switch to top eight has to go down as one of the most ill-thought out decisions ever made. It was no doubt a product of trying to keep as many teams interested – but was rumbled by the clubs and fans alike.

Not only did that system mean teams were qualifying for the play-offs despite finishing in the bottom half of the table, it gave no real reward to league placing.

The fixtures became simply a means to give the play-off competition a starting grid and it left open the possibility that some clubs could chose their route through.

The restructure was long overdue.

Instead of a minor tweak – and a reversion to top six play-off - they have thrown up a radical overhaul. Some will love it – others will groan about it being too complicated.

It will produce winners and losers, but it does effectively make every game count. And for once that is not a marketing slogan.

The top two divisions of 12 split into three leagues of eight after 23 rounds.

The top eight keep their points, but then play a further seven games against the other elite clubs with the top four then qualifying for a straightforward 1 v 4, 2 v 3 play off with the winners going through to Old Trafford.

The bottom four of the Super League, meanwhile, will battle the top four from the Championship – and they will essentially be playing for the prize of retaining their top flight status – or being the ones to bash their way in.

The Super 8s in that middle division start from scratch, with no points carried over, but the key game that year is the Million Pound Game between the fourth and fifth placed side.

The addition of the World Series, which gives automatic qualification to the League Leaders Shield, is a further positive endorsement and incentive to finish top.

Once again the league table matters – and that’s a good thing for all concerned but especially the regular fans.