Shildon striker Garry Barnes rounded off a superb season by lifting the Northern League player of the year award at its annual dinner last Friday.

Barnes scored a phenomenal 53 goals in 52 games last season as he helped Shildon to the first round of the FA Cup, and fourth place in the table.

His manager Ray Gowan said: "He's had a fantastic season, but I think there is more to come from him if he keeps the same attitude, which I'm sure he will."

Barnes just edged out Dunston's former Lincoln and Preston centre half Steve Holmes for the award, with Ashington striker Alan Hogg third.

Holmes, however, had some consolation in winning the BBC Radio Newcastle player of the year award, while David Wells from Billingham Synthonia won the writers Player of the Year award.

Dunston had a lucrative evening, collecting prize money totalling £2700 for winning the league and league cup, while manager Bobby Scaife won the Manager of the Year award, donated by Shildon chairman Gordon Hampton.

The league also handed out prize money to First Division runners up Durham (£1500) - they also received £500 for being League cup runners up, Bedlington (third) £1000, Shildon (fourth) £750, Ashington (Second Division champions) £1200, Benfield Saints (runners up) £800, Consett (third) £600 and Newcastle Blue Star (fourth) £400.

Jarrow Roofing won £500 for the First Division goalscoring award, and Washington Nissan £250 for the Second Division award.

Garry Barnes won £200 for the leading scorer in the league with 34 goals, just one goal ahead of Second Division pair Alan Hogg and Stephen Young of Newcastle Benfield Saints.

Peterlee won the Good Conduct award for the first division, with Chester-le-Street in second. Kennek Ryhope CA won the award for the second division, with Shotton second.

Peterlee also won the most improved team award from the league sponsors Albany. After avoiding relegation on the last day of the 2002-03 season, they finished 6th last season. They also won the Tea Hut award, sponsored by North Eastern Co-op. Second Division referee Keith Scoffham won the league's silver whistle.

"Mr Evenwood", Bobby Black, won the league's unsung hero award for his lifetime devotion to the club.

Bob, who started to watch Evenwood when he was 13, now carries out a multitude of jobs for the Second Division club, a role which is gratefully appreciated by the club's managing director, Ken Houlahan.

"Bob started helping here when he was thirteen and has never been away. He still does everything from being a director to acting as a ball boy, does all the maintenance work and has even refereed pre-season friendlies. We believe that last season he saved us over £40,000 in labour costs. This really is a thoroughly deserved tribute to a man who really is Mr Evenwood."

Ian Fullerton, who looks after catering among many other tasks at Norton, was second, and Newcastle Blue Star's president, Ted Walton, was third.

Shildon secretary and Northern League management committee member Mike Armitage won the Arthur Clark award for the person who has done most for the league during the past season.

Mike, who is also an FA Councillor, was diagnosed with kidney cancer eighteen months ago, but that didn't stop him from working long hours on behalf of his club and the league.

League chairman Mike Amos said: "It's easy to forget that he was so seriously ill because of the way he again immersed himself in football. His workload increased hugely when Shildon reached the first round of the FA Cup, but still his administration in all areas remained meticulous. The league owes him a great deal."

The future of Murton will be the major issue when Northern League clubs hold their AGM at Billingham Town tomorrow. The Northern League management committee has recommended that Murton should be expelled from the league, because their ground wasn't up to the required standard by their deadline of March 31st.

But since receiving the letter informing them of the decision, Murton have now pulled out all the stops, and believe that after some hard work especially to their perimeter fencing and changing rooms, that their ground now meets the required standard.

However, ANL officials have refused to budge, and will argue strongly in favour of the proposal tomorrow. Before they made their earlier decision, they received advice from the FA about what course of action to take.

Brandon are looking for a new manager following the surprise resignation in midweek of Kenny Lindoe. Lindoe took on the manager's role at the club six years ago, and in his second season led them to promotion to the ANL First Division. Better was to come three years later, as Brandon surprised everybody by ending Bedlington's dominance and winning the First Division title. Lindoe has also guided the club to two Durham Challenge Cup finals.

Murton, meanwhile, claim that at least 24 clubs will vote in their favour today, and if the vote is carried, then they will remain in the league, and instead Easington will be relegated.

But there is a school of thought that the league could be breaking its own rules by allowing Murton to stay in the league, plus should Easington be relegated, then they could appeal to the FA.

Easington, who will know their fate tomorrow, have appointed Steve Todd as their new manager.

Todd was manager of Teesside League club Wolviston Reserves, and takes over from Peter Gresham, who parted company with the club at the end of the season.

West Auckland full back Brian Fairhurst won the club's player of the year and players' player of the year awards at their recent presentation evening. Phil McGuire won the leading scorer award.

Durham FA are considering the formation of a County Under 21 league, following the success of their under 18 league. County secretary John Topping said: "We're finding that players tend to drop out of football after under 18 level."