NORTHERN League secretary Tony Golightly has denied claims that league clubs are going to be excluded from FA Competitions.

There have been suggestions recently that the FA is going to be vindictive enough to kick clubs out of the FA Cup and FA Vase because the Northern League isn't taking an active enough part in the national system in the FA's eyes, but Golightly says that the FA will make no such move.

"We raised the issue at a meeting of Step 5 leagues, and we were told by an FA official that nothing like that would happen, and that the notion is nonsense," he said.

"Many of our clubs are full members of the FA and are entitled to enter the FA Cup, plus our clubs would still be eligible to enter because we are part of the national league system."

Last season, Brian Waldon, who is chairman of the FA's leagues committee told Northern League clubs that their places in the FA Cup and FA Vase were not in jeopardy, although some people have been critical of Waldon recently for not speaking up when the FA held a meeting at Durham to talk about the national system.

The Cup and Vase are lifelines for Northern League clubs, especially the prize money in the FA Cup, and to lose entry to those competitions would be disastrous, although the FA would be sure to risk a huge amount of criticism if it did carry out its threat.

Meanwhile, the FA might restrict entries to next season's FA Cup because they are receiving too many applications. The competition has attracted around 700 entries again, which isn't surprising considering the glamour and financial rewards and there is a feeling in the FA that entries should be restricted, by means of league position or ground facilities.

SPENNYMOOR defender Mark Foster won two awards at the club's presentation night last week.

Foster, signed last summer from Crook Town, won the Supporters' Player of the Year and Committee Player of the Year awards. Striker Adam Johnston also won two, the Golden Boot award and the secretary's Player of the Year, while keeper Ben Escritt won the Players' Player of the Year award. Veteran midfielder Jason Ainsley won the chairman's player of the year award.

Bishop Auckland striker Gavin Parkin won the supporters player of the year and the players' player of the year award at their presentation night last week, with midfielder Joe Fairish winning the best newcomer award. Midfielder Lev Yalcin won the club player of the year award.

Defender Paul Griffith, who was forced to play as an emergency keeper on more than one occasion during the season, won the magic moment award.

THE Northern League has received enquiries from Northern Alliance clubs Walker Central and Gilford Park about joining the league.

League secretary Tony Golightly was contacted by both clubs for details on ground criteria, which he has forwarded on to them. Carlisle-based Harraby CC, who won the Northern Alliance this season, applied to join earlier this season, but withdrew their application when they realised how much work they needed to do to join the league.

CONSETT are looking for a new centre half following the departure of Neil Wilkinson to Conference club Blyth.

Wilkinson arrived at Belle Vue midway through the season from Whitby, and Consett boss Kenny Lindoe was hoping that he would stay and spearhead the club's title challenge next season.

FORMER Tow Law boss Graeme Clark revealed that he was very proud of his players in the second half of the season.

Clark left Ironworks Road as manager after Lawyers lost to Benfield in the semi-final of the League Cup, with Micky Vasey and Graeme Forster taking over for the game against Morpeth last Thursday.

"I thought we played exceptionally well over the second half of the season. It was the club's highest finish for a long time, we got three points more than last season, and we reached the semi final of the league cup," he said.

"Plus, we also beat the league champions from the last two seasons. I really felt that the big boys in the league were scared to play us. I believe that I've left the club with a good team."

Tow Law are having a night of nostalgia in their clubhouse on Thursday, May 17 for their former secretary Bernard Fairbairn, who was in the post for nearly 50 years until he resigned last month.

Prudhoe have withdrawn their resignation from the league, just days before the league management committee was to discuss the formation of leagues for next season.

Prudhoe, who finished second bottom of the Second Division, submitted their resignation earlier this year. They have done the same in recent years, just in case they felt that they were unable to carry on, as the club is run by just a small number of people.

UNIBOND League club Gateshead have appointed former Newcastle midfielder Ian Bogie as their new manager.

Bogie was assistant under previous boss Tony Lee, and took over from him when he was sacked earlier in the year. The Tynesiders went 12 games unbeaten at the end of the season.

NORTHERN League champions Whitley Bay have signed striker Paul Chow from Jarrow Roofing.

Chow has been a prolific scorer for Roofing over the last decade, and Bay are hoping that he will fill the gap left by the departure of Phil Bell to York City near the end of last season.