NEW TEAMS JOIN LEAGUE

Teams allocated for 2022/23 season

The FA has released the list of teams allocated to Step 5 and 6 for the National League System – our first and second divisions.

Pickering Town FC in North Yorkshire will join Division One, with Billingham Town relegated to Division Two.  (Pickering play at the Recreation Club ground.) Penrith has been given a reprieve from relegation.

The promotion of Carlisle City and Heaton Stannington to Division One has been confirmed.

Durham City has been relegated out of the league and the FA has increased the number of clubs in Division Two – which will now run with 22 teams (compared to 21 this season).

(With North Shields and Consett promoted out of the league, the first division will remain at 20 teams.)

The other clubs joining the league are:  Prudhoe YC FC Seniors, Chester-le-Street United and Boro Rangers from the Northern Alliance, Wearside League and North Riding League respectively.

These decisions are subject to appeal to the FA.

Prudhoe play at Kimberley Park (where Newcastle University also play), Chester-le-Street United play at the Riverside in Chester-le-Street and Boro Rangers will play at New Ferens Park in Durham.

League chairman Glenn Youngman said:

“We’re delighted to welcome new teams to the league.  I’m sure they will be made to feel very welcome as they travel to new grounds in the region.

“Expanding the second division to 22 teams means more revenue for clubs.

“The close season will give everyone a much-needed break, allowing them to come back raring to go in July.

“It’s been great to have finished a full season for the first time in three years and I would like to thank everyone involved in our league for all their hard work over the last season.”