Any Northern League club that wants promotion in future may have to rely on the mood of the Football Association.

League clubs have come under criticism from outside the league for not venturing into the UniBond League - the main reason given is the increased travel costs - but any club wanting to try pastures new in the future could have an extra obstacle placed in the way.

At the moment, clubs are promoted depending on league position and the appropriate facilities, but that arrangement is set to change according an announcement by FA official Mike Appleby at a meeting last week.

Under the proposed new pyramid set up, promotion places are set to be rationed, and only eight clubs in the 15 leagues at the Northern League's level across the country will be promoted.

Chairman Mike Amos said: "There is no guarantee that the champions of the Northern League will be able to play at the next level, even if their ground comes up to standard.

"Instead, it will come down to whoever is deemed most suitable.

"When I asked who decides on the suitability of those eight clubs, I was told "we don't know" and on what basis I was told "we don't know."

"So even if the champion club wants to go up, then they will have only a 50 per cent chance. This is against the guiding principles."

The idea certainly seems open to criticism, and could be ruled as unfair, especially as the basis for promotion hasn't been made clear. League clubs think that promotion could depend on politics, FA Cup results, or FA Vase results.

Meanwhile, clubs at last Thursday's meeting felt as if they were no further forward with the FA.

League clubs have campaigned for a better position in the pyramid in order to encourage promotion and reduce costs, but Amos said: "We have been presented with a fait accompli.

"In the present format, nobody wants to go into the UniBond First Division because of the distances involved. For example, there are clubs from Wales and Derbyshire in that division this season.

"And that division is going to be much weaker next season because of the restructuring.

"The UniBond League will be losing 13 clubs to the new Northern Conference and are bringing in nine clubs from the Northern Counties East and Northern Counties West.

"So in effect, our clubs could be going into a league which is about the same standard as the Northern League, and covering a much bigger geographical area.

"The guiding principles when the FA started the restructuring were to reduce costs and to have a fairer and more consistent system down from level two, and that hasn't happened.

"This latest exercise has been a disaster. We feel that we've been dealt a very bad hand, and it can't get much worse."

There is also the possibility that the league might have to take 22 clubs in each division, in line with the proposed new FA guidelines.

The logic is that some leagues have only 14 members, and therefore to win one of the smaller leagues, then clubs would have to play fewer matches than those in bigger leagues.

The FA see that as an advantage, but as Amos pointed out "What does it matter if a club in Kent plays fewer matches than one in the North-East?"

If the idea is imposed on the Northern League, then that would mean they would have to promote three clubs that reach Northern League standard from the feeder leagues - but whether the feeder leagues would appreciate that idea remains to be seen.

And there could also be a question mark over whether clubs would be keen on playing 42 league matches per season, plus the various cup competitions. There is already a suggestion going to the AGM that the early rounds of the League Cup should be played in August, in order to relieve some of the fixture congestion when cup runs and bad weather come along.

Second Division club Seaham Red Star have received a grant of £95,000 from the Football Stadium Improvement Fund.

The cash will go towards a secure permiteter fence, hardstanding and replacement floodlights.

Club secretary John Smith said: "We are very grateful to the fund for the money, and should help us progress as a club.

"The ground has been vandalised in the past, so hopefully a new fence will help, while our floodlights are over two decades old. The hardstanding around the pitch is dolomite, so concrete will be much better."

Meanwhile, Seaham have told three juniors that they are going to play until the end of the season.

Keeper Neil Hamed and outfield players Josh Mincer and Richard Milburn are going to be in the first team reckoning, as manager Peter Mulcaster starts building for next season. Mincer scored in Seaham's 7-1 home win over Willington last week.

Second Division Washington Nissan have appointed former Tow Law assistant manager Lee Collings to their coaching staff.

Northallerton manager Paul Burton says this season has been good experience for his team.

Burton, in his first full season of Northern League management, has helped the club to a top half position with an appearance in the semi final of the Craven Cup.

"I think we're standing in good stead for next season," he said.

"It has been a good experience for everybody, including me. We know what we need now, and what we don't need.

"We're still looking for two or three players, and if we can get them, then we won't be far short.

"As far as this season is concerned, we're still aiming for a top six place."

The Craven Cup final between Newcastle Blue Star and Ashington will be played at Prudhoe on Tuesday, May 4 (7pm).

Craig Peel's two goals for Ryhope in their 8-0 win at Easington last weekend were his first for the club. Jonny Wightman's brace means he has scored nine against Easington in two games this season.

Newcastle Benfield Saints have signed teenage midfielder Lee Norton, who has been released by Newcastle.

tomorrow's Fixtures: Division One: Billingham Town v Horden, Brandon v Tow Law, Chester-le-Street v Bedlington, Dunston v Peterlee, Morpeth v Billingham Synthonia, Penrith v Durham City, Thornaby v Jarrow Roofing, Washington v Marske, West Auckland v Guisborough.

Division Two: Ashington v Northallerton, Crook v Alnwick, Easington v Newcastle Blue Star, Hebburn v Evenwood, Newcastle Benfield Saints v Washington Nissan, Norton v South Shields, Prudhoe v Seaham Red Star, Willington v Shotton.