Kennek Ryhope CA are helping clean up the league's image by insisting their players sign a no swearing pledge ahead of the new season.

Ryhope won the league's Good Conduct and Fair Play awards last season and are hoping for a repeat in the new campaign.

They introduced a code of conduct near the end of last season, and secretary Owen Haley said: "The club frowns upon loud swearing, both on and off the field. If one of our players swears at a match official, then he'll be fined. Players must appreciate that other people are in listening distance, certainly on and around the field of play.

"We discovered that our disciplinary record improved towards the end of the season. We want that to continue in the new season. If the players behave themselves, then that benefits the club - we won £800 last season, which has now been spent on equipment."

Ryhope's initiative comes soon after all but three of the League's 41 clubs signed a charter outlawing foul and abusive language.

League chairman Mike Amos asked clubs to sign a voluntary declaration to take action against bad language, and he was given an encouraging response.

Amos points out that the problem isn't with spectators, but with players and dug-out personnel.

"If no-one else is willing to act against the curse of foul language, then we have to try and do it ourselves," said Amos.

"It's not just a man's game and there's nothing manly about swearing. We have to make a stand against the undisciplined yobs who are driving people away.

"Swearing amongst spectators isn't a problem, and we wouldn't expect clubs to act as policemen. The problem is the gratuitously offensive language among team personnel, both on the field and in the dugout."

Amos is annoyed about the inability of match officials to clamp down, and pointed out: "Many referees and assistant referees now seem to take the view that unless the offensive language is used about them, and directly to their face from two feet, then it becomes acceptable.

"There are heat of the moment occasions when swearing might be understandable. We are talking about gratuitously offensive language clearly audible a hundred yards away. If used in the street the perpetrators would be arrested, why should it be acceptable on the football field where spectators pay to be entertained, not offended?"

At least two clubs have introduced their own disciplinary code, which includes possible suspension from the club for people who use bad language.

All the clubs participating in the scheme have been given a framed copy of their declaration of intent, and will be putting up posters in their dressing rooms and clubhouses.

West Allotment are delighted to have advanced into the Northern League, a year after celebrating their 75th anniversary.

After 20 years in the Northern Alliance, they finally gained promotion by winning the league last season.

Secretary Mark Hadley said: "Whenever we won the league, it was the same old story for us - we couldn't be promoted because there was no promotion agreement in place between the Northern Alliance and the Northern League.

"That meant sometimes we lost our players because they wanted to play at the next step up. Now, it will be different because we've won promotion. They'll still be able to play for us, although we have to sort one player out because he's already registered with a Northern League club."

Celtic were part of the Northern Amateur League, but left in 1983, and have since won the Northern Alliance title eight times, groundsharing at Whitley Bay for a short spell before moving to their current set up at Blue Flame.

"It's been a nice steady incline for us. We won the league by 13 points, and it's a nice reward for some of our committee men, who have been serving the club for over 20 years."

Celtic are managed by Terry Mitchell, who had a short spell at Newcastle Blue Star as manager five years ago, and their top scorer last season was Alex Benjamin, who scored over 40 goals for them after joining from Bedlington.

Their first league game is at Marske United, and Hadley said: "It's our longest away game, plus it will be a hard game to start with. We'll have a good idea straight away what to expect."

They might also make another good impact in the Vase, after losing in the last 32 last season, beating Horden, Ossett Albion, St Helens and Warrington along the way.

Shildon are playing a Newcastle XI tonight in a friendly at Dean Street, and the winners will be presented with the Lee Hainsworth Shield, provided by local firm Calsonic, in memory of their player who was tragically killed in a road accident earlier this year.

Next Saturday they take on Notts County, their FA Cup conquerors, again at Dean Street, for the Lee Hainsworth Cup, which has been provide by Pauline Silverwood.

Billingham Synthonia have arranged a friendly against Football League side Leeds United on Saturday, July 31. Leeds are hoping to include several first team players. Synners' other friendlies are against Darlington at home on July 28, Middlesbrough at home on August 4, and at Norton on August 7.

Whitley Bay have signed striker Adam Johnston from Jarrow Roofing. Johnston was at Washington Nissan two seasons ago.

Horden CW go into tomorrow's friendly at Hartlepool Town expecting an interesting game after team managers Eddie Freeman and Ken Charlton reported the team have responded well to pre-season training.

They've added two new players to the squad in Stuart Dixon from Billingham Town and Martin Bowes from Chester-le-Street but centre back Luke Allen will be missing tomorrow because of family commitments.