Northern League chairman Mike Amos is hoping no more clubs quit the league. Shotton, who joined the Second Division in 1983, have informed the league they will resign at the end of the season because of a lack of manpower and finance.

Shotton would probably have been been relegated anyway, but Amos points out that although Shotton's problems can also be found at other clubs, he has huge praise for the small bands of helpers dotted around the league.

"It is well known that Shotton has been run mainly by one person, Billy Banks, for many years. The club has had to rely on his generosity, hard work, and selflessness on many occasions.

"But Billy isn't in a minority. There have been occasions when other clubs, for example Murton, have seen their futures questioned because hardly anybody is coming forward to help.

"There just doesn't seem to be the volunteers coming forward to help clubs. There used to be times when a club used to have a full committee, and people had to be turned away.

"Now, sadly, those days are gone. Instead there are people who have to sacrifice a considerable amount of time, not only to raise funds, but also to perform the many duties to go along with running a football club at this level.

"It is at times, a thankless task, and their hard work often goes unnoticed. There is more to organising a football club than just turning up on a Saturday afternoon.

"At times, I fear for some of our clubs, but the people who run them and keep them afloat are gems and deserve more support from their local communities. I truly hope that someone comes forward and helps to save Shotton, because nobody wants to see a club go under, no matter what level of football they play at."

Shotton's decision to fold will cause a knock-on effect with the feeder leagues.

Assuming that grounds are up to standard, one club will be promoted from both the Wearside League and Northern Alliance, but now only one club will be demoted to those two leagues - the club which joins Shotton in the relegation zone - instead of two.

Meanwhile, stalwart Banks admits that he was "heartbroken" when he took the decision to resign from the league.

"It all boiled down to a lack of help and a lack of finance. I was doing so many jobs on my own.

"Some people don't have any idea of what has been going on. The manager and the players don't claim any expenses at all, which helps, but there are still many other things which the clubs needs to raise funds for, such as ground improvements.

"Not everybody has a sugar daddy like some clubs. It's a reality shock to us, and I'm sure the same goes for many other club at our level.

"Regardless of which league the club was going to be playing in next season, we need bodies to help us move on. And unless somebody comes forward to help, then we will fold."

Northern League officials tomorrow begin a month long series of inspections at grounds of clubs in the Wearside League and Northern Alliance who have stated they wish to take promotion to the league at the end of the season. Next week they will check the grounds of the five clubs chasing promotion to the First Division. Any clubs who are not up to the required standard won't be considered for promotion.

The inspectors will then go to the rest of the Second Division grounds on April 17 and 24, with the league warning that clubs who haven't carried out recommended work will face action, and that could mean possible expulsion from the league.

Billingham Town have signed striker Tom Jones from Marske United, and midfielder Stuart Dixon from Washington. Jones was the leading scorer for Marske this season, while Dixon has just left Spennymoor after a brief spell there. Jones is eligible to play in the Durham Challenge Cup final against Bishop Auckland if necessary.

Consett's appeal against midfielder Peter Kirkham's dismissal at South Shields two months ago is to be heard at Durham FA on Monday, April 5. Consett claim that Kirkham was the victim of mistaken identity when the referee sent him off for using foul and abusive language.

Willington manager Alan Shoulder has appealed to the FA over Durham FA's decision to fine him over the abandoned game at Benfield Saints in September.

The long-running saga took another twist last month when Durham FA found him guilty of causing the abandonment of the game, but Shoulder, as a former pro, has enlisted the help of the PFA to take the case to Soho Square.

Meanwhile, Willington chairman John Phelan has been looking through the rule books as he prepares to argue his club's case with the Northern League. The club has been charged with undesirable conduct by the league.

Bedlington joint manager Tony Lowery has admitted that he might be leaving Welfare Park at the end of the season.

Lowery has helped the club to five title wins and a Vase final appearance but has hinted that he might be calling it a day. Speaking to the Bedlington website, he said: "All I'm looking at from now till the summer is finishing the season as best we can and then once the season is over I'll look at the whole situation.

"I'm not even sure what my own position and feelings will be at the end of the season. I need to sort that out first before I even consider what needs doing to whatever team I'm with."

Bedlington's challenge for the title has fallen away in recent weeks, and they have failed to beat the bottom two clubs in their last two matches.

Benfield Saints are on the verge of a notable first if they can finish in the top three of the Second Division, and their ground is up to standard.

Saints could become the first club from the Northern Alliance to win two successive promotions, but general manager Bob Morton isn't getting carried away.

"People are starting to talk about us finishing second, but we have still got to win matches. We can still be caught for the third promotion spot. When we've clinched that, then we'll think about the top two."

Benfield are eight points behind Consett, but have three games in hand.

Norton manager Ray Morton believes his team still needs at least one more win to make sure they're safe from relegation.

Norton won their six-pointer basement battle against Easington last weekend to put them seven points ahead of second bottom Easington.

"We still need at least one more win, but the teams in the relegation battle have a lot to do.

"The lads did well last Saturday, because it was an extremely tense battle."

Durham City should have a good crowd next Friday morning (Good Friday) when they entertain Shildon in a Division One game. City could still win the title, while Shildon are pushing for a top three place.

Durham play on Friday again the following week, away to Bedlington.

The latest performance of the week awards are; 28th February -- no award because of the weather, 6th March; Norton for their 5-1 win at Prudhoe, 13th March Prudhoe for their 2-1 win at Consett, 20th March Tow Law for their 4-2 home win over Jarrow Roofing.

The draw for the semi finals of the League Cup is: Penrith v Dunston (to be played April 13th), Durham City v Billingham Synthonia (April 20th).

The draw for the semi finals of the Craven Cup is: Northallerton v Ashington (April 14th), Newcastle Blue Star v Shotton (April 13th).

TOMORROW'S fixtures: Division One: Billingham Town v West Auckland, Brandon v Bedlington, Guisborough v Dunston, Horden v Washington, Jarrow Roofing v Chester-le-Street, Morpeth v Esh Winning, Peterlee v Durham City, Tow Law v Shildon, Whitley Bay v Thornaby

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