Some Northern League rules are going to be scrapped under a new national shake up, including the notorious February 1 rule.

The FA is to introduce a national rule book across every league in the country, which means the Northern League will have to ditch some of its own rules and introduce new ones.

One rule in particular which will be discontinued is the controversial February 1 rule which dictates that any player who appears for a club after that date is automatically registered for that club the following season, regardless of how long he played for that club, even as a substitute for a few minutes.

Some players, who no longer wish to play for a club for whatever reason, refuse to play after February 1, which enables them to become free agents in some cases. However, in others, they are reported to the league, who can decide whether that player's registration will still be held by the club.

The rule has also tripped up clubs who have signed and then used players without checking the retained list, and have had points deducted when it was found the players were ineligible.

The FA has now proposed that players will be signed for one year only, although how this will work in practice isn't yet clear. Whereas before the system was in favour of the clubs, the new system looks to be in favour of the players who will be able to leave clubs without hindrance at the end of the season. It could also mean a reduction in the number of cash transfers with a lot of business going on during the summer when players will be free agents.

And in another twist, the FA will insist that clubs give full details to the league of all their transfer dealings - which could lead to transfer wrangles and tribunals.

The new rule book will also insist that all home clubs should provide a programme for every match, but as league officials have pointed out, hard pressed clubs who are run by just a few volunteers have enough on their plates without producing a programme, which could run at a financial loss.

Leagues throughout the country at Northern League level are protesting to the FA about the restructuring of the non league system.

The FA gave details of the proposed new structure last week, which will see 15 leagues being reduced to twelve over the course of time.

The leagues affected are unhappy with several issues , and are in the process of writing a strong letter to the FA.

The Northern League is supporting the letter, and chairman Mike Amos said: "We have no confidence in the way things are going.

"I couldn't agree more with what's being put in the letter. The intention of the system when it was restructured was for it to be fairer and more consistent, and the exact opposite has happened."

For its part, the Northern League has complained long and hard about the increased amount of travel costs any club would have to pay should it be promoted, but all leagues are concerned that promotion places could be decided by the FA. The North West Counties League and the Northern Counties East League are also believed to be in support.

But the issue took a twist in midweek when the FA Council ruled that relegation must take place with the feeder leagues at the end of the season. Leagues such as the UniBond had decided not to relegate clubs, but now it appears they must - which will mean bad news for Kidsgrove and Kendal who finished in the bottom two of the UniBond First Division.

Amos said: "It's indicative of the way the whole thing has been done. Clubs have been led to believe certain things, and the opposite has happened."

However, UniBond League chairmen were told at a meeting on Sunday that clubs will be formally relegated, but then re-instated.

Shotton have rescinded their resignation from the Northern League - but it might have come too late to save them from relegation.

Shotton submitted their resignation before the March 31 deadline, and withdrew it last week, as they are quite entitled to do.

They are pinning their hopes on the league booting a club out of the league for failing to reach the required standard, but it is understood that when they were asked by the league if they wanted their ground inspected recently for grading purposes, Shotton refused.

Bearing in mind that league officials have inspected all Second Division grounds for grading purposes and are due to announce their results over the weekend, Shotton have virtually excluded themselves by refusing. The league had a meeting last week, and was understood to be discussing their situation. Shotton were asked to improve their ground in several areas earlier in the season.

The final of the Northumberland Senior Cup final between Blyth and Bedlington will be played at West Allotment's ground on Wednesday, May 5 (7.30pm). Both clubs were hoping to play at St James' Park, but the ground isn't available.

Evenwood players will have an incentive for when they play at home next season.

Chairman Alan Murray of C and A Leisure will sponsor the home man of the match award with a bottle of champagne, and manager Ken Houlahan said: ""Its a nice gesture, especially as all the players have offered to play for nothing again next season."

The winner will be chosen by the manager of the visiting team.

FIXTURES

Tonight: Division One: Jarrow Roofing v Bedlington

Tomorrow: Division One: Billingham Synthonia v Penrith, Whitley Bay v Tow Law

Division Two: Ashington v Kennek Ryhope CA, Consett v Norton, Hebburn v Alnwick, Murton v Prudhoe, Newcastle Benfield Saints v Willington, Newcastle Blue Star v Whickham, Seaham Red Star v Shotton, South Shields v Northallerton, Washington Nissan v Crook

Monday: League Cup final: Durham City v Dunston (at Whitley Bay, 11am)

Tuesday: Craven Cup final: Newcastle Blue Star v Ashington (at Prudhoe 7pm)

Wednesday: Northumberland Senior Cup final: Blyth v Bedlington (at West Allotment, 7.30pm).