Northern League clubs are hoping that FA Cup prize money won't be affected by the recent resignation of FA secretary Adam Crozier.

Since Crozier arrived at the FA, prize money in the FA Cup in the early rounds of the FA Cup has increased substantially, with £7,500 at stake for the winners of the early qualifying rounds and many ANL clubs see the prize money as much-needed revenue

And now anxiety is increasing that the professional clubs might want a bigger slice of the FA Cup money, at the expense of the smaller clubs.

They have also suffered a blow with the news that Frank Pattison has quit some of his roles at the FA in the wake of Crozier's resignation.

Pattison will remain as the Durham FA representative on the FA Council, but he has stood down from his roles on the Football Foundation, the National Game Board, the FA Board of Directors and the International Committee.

In his letter of resignation he states: "I fully share Adam Crozier's concerns at recent developments in relation to the running and regulation of the Association's affairs in the future. I appreciate and accept that my views are not supported by some of my Board colleagues. However the simple fact is that I am not prepared to lead the National Game Board (or indeed the members of Council) in a course of action with which I clearly don't agree."

This season's FA Carlsberg Vase final could return to London. A definite venue for the final has yet to be fixed, but it is understood the FA is thinking about staging the game at West Ham's Upton Park, instead of at Villa Park.

Northern League chairman Mike Amos said: "I'm sure that anywhere in London, with the possible exception of Leyton Orient, would be a more acceptable venue than Aston Villa because people can make a better weekend of it.

"Personally, I hope that it's an all Northern League final, and that it could have been Highbury."

The FA has stated that the Vase and Trophy finals will eventually return to Wembley when the new national stadium is completed.

The second round of the FA Vase takes place tomorrow, and at least four ANL clubs will make it to the next round from the all-ANL ties.

Tow Law will give several players fitness tests before their game at Dunston, while West Auckland welcome three players back after suspension for their trip to Prescot Cables.

Whitley Bay, who won the competition last season, have a tough tie at Billingham Synthonia.

Brandon have a tricky game at Morpeth, while Consett take on Billingham Town, the pair having drawn in the league a fortnight ago.

Bedlington, one of the favourites, have a tough game at Clitheroe, while Horden will have an even tougher task at Brigg Town, another of the competition favourites.

Northallerton won't be too worried about going to Pontefract having already won away at New Mills and Garforth so far, while Durham will fancy their chances at Ossett Albion.

Crook chairman Stephen Buddle has paid tribute to outgoing management team David Buchanan and Ronan Liddane, who quit on Monday night.

"David was a fantastic lad, who has done so much for the club," he said.

"Results weren't as good as he would have liked, so he said that maybe somebody with more local contacts should take control.

"But despite the results we've had in recent weeks, Dave stabilised the club, because when we came down from the First, we were like a rolling stone."

Senior players Les Langley, Andy Burgess and David Taylor will be in charge of the team until an appointment is made.

Buchanan's departure is the second in the league inside a week. Stuart Leeming quit as Newcastle Blue Star manager after his side's 1-0 home defeat by Amble in the Northumberland Senior Cup.

Secretary Jimmy Anderson said: "Stuart has done a fantastic job for us. He's brought some good youngsters to the club, but results haven't gone for him."

Bishop Auckland Referees' society is holding a coaching course for referees at Spennymoor Catholic Club on Wednesday, November 13, beginning at 7.30pm. Details from Terry Farley on (01325) 313647 or Ernie Minto on (01388) 814183.

Whitley Bay have had three points deducted after fielding centre half Sean Hope in their defeat at Morpeth on September 28, when he was still registered with Durham City.

Hope was signed on the day of the match, and allegedly told Whitley Bay officials that he had only played for Coventry City in the previous five seasons. However, as well as signing for Durham, he was also on Whitby's books. Hope is now playing for Bishop Auckland, who signed him from Whitby.

Five clubs have now had points deducted this season for fielding ineligible players; Alnwick, Billingham Town, Esh Winning, West Auckland and now Whitley Bay.

Chester-le-Street manager Stuart Sherwood believes 17-year-old striker Daniel Graham will soon be on his way to the professional ranks.

Graham scored two of the goals in Chester's 4-1 win at Billingahm Town on Tuesday night, their best result of the season so far.

Sherwood said: "He's the best 17 year old I've seen. Not many players of his age can play as well as him in the Northern League.

"I don't think we'll be hanging on to him for long. He's playing Middesbrough Under-19s on Saturday and a Bolton scout was watching him at Billingham."

Sherwood also gave a debut to keeper David Lanning, signed from Shildon, while Town included new striker Craig Skelton from Whitby.

Northallerton included two new signings in their team which played at Hebburn last Saturday, and one of them scored. Paul Coleby and Andy Cole were both signed from Thornaby before the game, and Coleby scored one of the goals to set up their fourth straight away win.

Seaham Red Star have transfer listed Gavin Naylor at his own request. Naylor was signed from Peterlee at the start of the season.

The draw for the second round of the Northern League Cup, to be played in January, is: Peterlee or Prudhoe v Seaham Red Star or Alnwick, Tow Law v Penrith, Billingham Synthonia v Washington or Consett, Dunston or Esh Winning v Bedlington, Marske v Murton or Newcastle Blue Star, Brandon v Horden, Morpeth or Shotton v Evenwood or Ashington, Shildon v Billingham Town or Whitley Bay.

Tomorrow's fixtures - FA Vase second round: Billingham Synthonia v Whitley Bay, Brigg Town v Horden, Clitheroe v Bedlington, Consett v Billingham Town, Dunston v Tow Law, Morpeth v Brandon, Ossett Albion v Durham City, Pontefract v Northallerton, Prescot Cables v West Auckland, Sheffield v Guisborough, Thornaby v Fleetwood.

Albany Northern League Division One: Chester-le-Street v Washington, Esh Winning v Newcastle Blue Star, Prudhoe v Jarrow Roofing, Shildon v Marske United.

Division Two: Ashington v Penrith, Easington v Thornaby, Evenwood v Whickham, Murton v Kennek Ryhope CA, Norton v Crook Town, Seaham Red Star v Eppleton, Shotton v Hebburn, South Shields v Willington, Washington Nissan v Alnwick