On of the features of the newly-formed Durham County Council Lomax Enterprises Under-18 Youth League will be flexible kick-off times.

"We feel we have got to move with the times and if people want to play on a Saturday morning, so be it," said Durham FA secretary John Topping.

"Although we have agreed that the starting times will be either 11am, noon or 1pm, we will allow clubs to vary these arrangements if they agree between themselves.

"It may well be that if Newcastle, Sunderland or Middlesbrough are playing and clubs want to kick off even earlier to allow players to attend, then that will be fine with us," added Topping.

The competition will have 11 teams and only two, Willington and Gateshead Redheugh, played on Saturdays last season. The season starts on Saturday September 6.

The other nine teams are: Consett Badgers PC, Darlington Spraire Lads FC, Hartlepool FC, Newton Aycliffe FC, Trimdon FC, Darlington College FC, Leadgate Lions FC, South Shields FC and Washington Dunlop FC.

"The Ebac Auckland and District League has folded and their teams have come in with us. We did hope that the Rohm and Haas JOC Hetton Youth League, which currently only has five clubs, would have also joined meaning we would have had 16 teams formed into two Divisions.

"It is a great disappointment that they have decided to go it alone but I am hopeful that more clubs will want to join us next season," added Topping.

Following the completion of this first season the association intends to put in place a further league at Under-16 and Under-20 to commence at the start of the 2004/05 season.

The Rohm and Haas JOC League have four of last season's clubs, Ryhope, Jarrow St Bedes, Sacriston and champions Lumley back together with newcomers Red House.

"The clubs were adamant that they want to stay as we are even though there will only be five in membership. I think the kick-off times did not suit them and that the extended travelling was also perceived to be a problem," said secretary Dave Binsley, who reports that a start will be made on Saturday, August 30.

The New County North Durham Youth League which was successful last season, starts on August 31 with two divisions at under-16 and under-17 level. They will continue to play on Sundays as will the Apollo Doors Gateshead Youth League with Divisions covering under-11s - under-15s which begins on September 7.

Meanwhile, the Apollo Doors Small Sided League which caters for youngsters between seven and ten years will again play fixtures on Saturdays starting on Saturday September 6.