Bishop Auckland and Spennymoor both have home ties in the first qualifying round of the FA Cup on September 18th.

Bishops have a home game against fellow Premier Division side Workington, while Moors are at home to Tadcaster or Fleetwood or Alnwick from the preliminary rounds.

Both clubs will be hoping for much better performances than last season. Bishops lost to Pickering - the season before that they were humbled at Rossington Main - while Moors lost at home to Warrington.

Gateshead could have a derby against Bedlington if the Northern League club beat Pickering, while Whitby could be at Billingham Synthonia, if Synners win at Lancashire club Padiham.

The draw, as it affects the North-East clubs: Padiham or Billingham Synthonia v Whitby, Bishop Auckland v Workington, Spennymoor v Tadcaster or Fleetwood or Alnwick, Blyth v Skelmersdale or Brodsworth or Stocksbridge, Gateshead v Pickering or Bedlington.

The five North-East clubs in the UniBond Premier Division have been given exemption to the first round proper of the new season's competition.

The draw, on Saturday, November 6, includes: Bishop Auckland v Kidsgrove or AFC Telford, Witton Albion v Blyth, Gateshead v Southport, Bamber Bridge v Spennymoor, Marine v Whitby.

Next week in Local Heroes - UniBond League fixtures for next season.

* Harrogate Town, who will be competing in the new Northern Conference League in the coming season, have just paid a club record fee for Frickley Athletic striker Lee Morris.

Aged 23 Morris was Frickley's top scorer last season with 27 goals.

Town, whose chairman is Bill Fotherby the former Leeds United chairman, beat off challenges from a number of other clubs to secure Morris's signature for a four figure sum.

Earlier Harrogate signed Shaun Garnett from Morecambe and former Rotherham United defender Paul Pettinger.

Town start a series of pre-season friendlies on Friday (July 9) against Bradford City at Wetherby Road (7.30pm).