Northern League clubs could be kicked out of the league if they don't improve their grounds. That's the stark warning from League chairman Mike Amos who says the League's patience is running out after pressing clubs over a long period of time to improve their facilities.

In his annual report, Amos said: "It is possible that the league management committee will come to next year's Annual General Meeting with a recommendation that a second division club be relegated for failing to meet ground criteria.

"As the clubs know, this summer we plan to inspect all second division clubs against a background of increasing concern that standards have been allowed unacceptably to fall - or in some cases, to be honest, that they were barely met in the first place.

"Among our main concerns is the inadequacy of hard standing, the failure to properly enclose grounds and a deterioration in changing accommodation for both match officials and players.

"Some grounds are just plain run down, others have been allowed to decay while money has been spent on the team. Clubs have effectively had 15 months notice of this but they will be given formal details in the summer of what needs to be done. They will have until March 31, next year to comply."

Amos has also urged another clampdown on the long running issue of swearing on the field.

"The level of foul, abusive and offensive language is rising markedly. There have even been complaints about referees swearing.

"I hope that the management committee will find time in the summer to address the problem, but I want to urge club officials to take it upon themselves to impress both the laws of the game and the aspirations of the league upon their players. It was wonderful when we had a reputation for leading the way in this regard; it would be no less wonderful to do so again. But we can't depend on referees alone."

Durham City manager Billy Cruddas is having a busy close season.

Cruddas is set for wholesale changes at the Archibalds Stadium, with almost a full team being signed.

He announced in midweek that he has signed former Spennymoor midfielder Jason Ainsley, whilst he has also raided Blyth to bring in Glen Robson, Steve Stewart, Paul Gilmore, John Keegan and John Hutton, while Paul Anthony has arrived from Carlisle. Other new signings are Liam Graham from Ossett Albion and Lee Butler from Sporting Club Sunderland.

Cruddas holds his first training session on Monday night, and given the number of arrivals, there are certain to be departures.

Ainsley was with Spennymoor last season, as captain and assistant manager, and guided Moors to promotion, while Robson was once the subject of an enquiry from Darlington.

Wilf Constantine became Washington Nissan's third manager in the space of six weeks when he was appointed their new manager last weekend.

Constantine has been manager of several Northern League clubs in the past, and last season would have guided Eppleton to safety if the club hadn't lost 15 points because of maladministration.

"This is probably the best squad of players I've ever taken over," he said.

"In fact, this club is one of the best in the Second Division. The potential is there, and I expect us to be challenging for promotion this season."

Constantine has brought goalscoring legend Paul Pitman with him to the club as his assistant, while Gary Coatsworth and Craig Morley will also be helping with coaching duties.

Shildon restart training on Wednesday, June 25. Manager Ray Gowan hasn't yet signed any new players, but he is hoping to sign at least three before the start of the new season.

Whitley Bay, the FA Vase winners in 2002, have got an exemption to the second round proper of the new season's competition, along with Billingham Town, Durham, Morpeth and Northallerton. Bedlington and Brandon are exempt to the first round. The draw us expected to be announced in three weeks' time.

Crook Town are holding their AGM in the Millfield clubhouse on Thursday, June 26, beginning at 7pm. Meanwhile, club officials have been working hard during the summer on the hardstanding around the pitch, and also on the floodlight system.

Northern League champions Brandon have been boosted by the news that Steve Huggins and Anth McStea will be fit by the start of the season.

Both of them missed the closing weeks of the championship campaign, but both are making encouraging progress.

Manager Kenny Lindoe said: "It will be like having two new players available again."

Brandon have arranged friendlies against Blyth (away) July 19, Annfield Plain (away) July 23, Birtley (away) July 26, Evenwood (home) July 29, West Allotment (away) August 2. They play Shildon in the Cleator Cup on August 9.