The Northern League is again looking at ways to reduce bad language at matches. The league has written to all member clubs, looking for co-operation in stamping out foul language which league officials claim is forcing people away from Northern League football.

League chairman Mike Amos said: "We're trying to gather opinions and statements of intent from clubs about the situation.

"Whether the clubs would be prepared to adopt a voluntary code of conduct remains to be seen.

"One thing is obvious, that having been to many games myself, we can no longer rely on anyone else to enforce the law against bad language. There have been many occasions when spectators have complained to me about it.

"The level of offensive language is completely unacceptable."

In the past, the league has been complimented in its crusade against bad language, but it has become apparent that the standards have slipped over the last couple of seasons.

The league has arranged for clubs to remind players and officials about using bad language and have put posters in dressing rooms, while referees have been criticised for not taking action in clear-cut cases.

Northern League clubs will finally get together with FA official Mike Appleby at a meeting to discuss the national league system next month.

Appleby has agreed to speak to clubs at an EGM of clubs, on Thursday April 15, at a venue yet to be decided.

He had to miss another EGM in January because of ill health, and in his absence clubs voiced their concerns that the FA is ignoring them in the national shake-up.

Evenwood manager Ken Houlahan quit after his team were beaten 3-0 at home by Willington on Tuesday night.

Houlahan, who is heavily involved in all aspects of the club, decided to concentrate on the off-the-field problems at the Welfare Ground after his team's run without a win was extended to nine games.

Houlahan, who has been at Evenwood for over two years, said: "The on-the-field successes were previously based on my ability to continually unearth talent from local football, but the simple truth is that I have not watched a local game since before Christmas because of the situation off the field, and the production line has almost stopped.

"Notwithstanding, the players must also take responsibility. In recent weeks they have let me down, the club, and most importantly themselves. I felt a new face as manager was the only option at this time and Stan Cummins has agreed to stand in until the end of the season, and we will review the position after that.

"Apart from the years of neglect of the ground and the general decline of the club to arrest, since last June it has been one thing after another.The floodlights, no income generation, problems with the Parish Council, the loss of the social club, and on top of this the deadline for ANL ground improvements have all had to be tackled. We have actually undertaken more work in the past 15 months than what went on over the previous 15 years.

"The arrangement with Stan will allow me to concentrate on addressing the club's problems, most importantly the acquisition of a new social club. But even if that is successful, we will be looking at greater commitment from the locals in increasing the numbers of workers at the club, otherwise I'll walk away for good. Quite simply people have got to get up off their backsides and make a contribution if they want the club to survive, and the youth development programme and the wider sport and exercise programme to come to fruition."

Peterlee manager Andy Toman will be happy with a top ten finish this season. Peterlee lost 4-2 at Bedlington on Saturday to leave them in sixth place, but Toman isn't getting carried away.

"We'll be happy with a top ten finish," he said.

"We might do better than that, because there's still; quite a few points to play for, and some of the teams above us have to play each other yet.

"But for us, it's a change from last season. At one point last season we looked upwards, and there were 19 clubs above us. This season, we've been looking down on half the league."

Shotton have appointed Rob Spink as assistant manager to Vince Kirkup. Spink replaces David Wilkinson, who has had to resign because of work commitments.

Brandon midfielder Steve Huggins has turned down an approach from UniBond League club Gateshead.

Huggins was also the subject of an enquiry from Spennymoor earlier in the season.

Norton manager Ray Morton was delighted with his team's 5-1 win at Prudhoe last Saturday.

Their best victory of the season lifted Norton out of the bottom three, and Morton said: "It was a huge boost to our confidence, and should help us over the last few weeks of the season."

Their remaining fixtures are: Home: Newcastle Benfield Saints, Easington, Northallerton, South Shields. Away: Willington, Kennek Ryhope CA, Hebburn, Seaham, Consett.

Consett manager Ray Lish has warned his players about complacency.

Consett are top of the second division today, ready for a quick return to the First Division, but Lish isn't getting too excited yet.

"We must not get too carried away," he said.

"We might only need nine points to clinch promotion, but several teams can still catch us."

However, it is looking more and more certain that Consett and Ashington will be in the top two places, with the title possibly to be decided when the they meet at Consett on Wednesday, March 24.

Newcastle Blue Star manager Warren Teasdale admits his team are outsiders for the third promotion spot.

Star are eight points behind Benfield Saints having played a game more, but Teasdale hasn't given up yet. "Benfield have the upper hand, but we must keep battling away. We've got a very good side now, much better than it was at the start of the season."

Teasdale signed strikers David Henderson from Brandon and Chris Rue from Bedlington before last Saturday's win at Northallerton, and the pair of them obliged with goals in the 3-1 win.

Willington officials were scratching their heads after last Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Hebburn.

Willington midfielder Gary Ankers was dismissed just before half time, and was asked by the referee to move off the bench. He was informed that it was in order for him to stand behind the dugout.

Earlier in the season, manager Alan Shoulder was asked to leave the dugout at Newcastle Benfield Saints, and the match was abandoned in the second half when the referee told him that he couldn't stand behind the dugout, and he refused to move.

Chester-le-Street will be without central defender Colin Wake for tonight's home game with Whitley Bay.

Chester need the points because they are just above the relegation zone. They will also be without several of their youth team players, who are preparing for a cup final tomorrow.

FIXTURES

Tonight: Division One: Chester-le-Street v Whitley Bay

Tomorrow: Division One: Billingham Synthonia v Tow Law, Dunston v Billingham Town, Durham v West Auckland, Esh Winning v Marske, Guisborough v Washington, Horden v Morpeth, Jarrow Roofing v Brandon, Peterlee v Penrith, Shildon v Bedlington

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