Chilton YC have withdrawn their resignation from the Auckland and District EBAC Youth League, leaving the under-18 soccer league still with only seven clubs in membership.

New teams will be welcome to join the league at any time before the start of the new season in September.

Anyone interested should contact league secretary Bob Farms on 01388 818192. Two potential new members have made enquiries so far.

The current members are: Barnard Castle, Bishop Auckland, Chilton YC, Coundon & Leeholme, Ferryhill, Spennymoor Legion, Willington.

Because of poor discipline on the field during the past season, the league has decided not to award the Oughton Carriers Good Conduct trophy for the first time since the league was re-formed in 1994. "The record has been most appalling, and for a league with only seven teams to have 14 dismissals and 72 cautions is beyond belief," said Mr Farms.

"On a brighter note, I am most pleased that the administrative side has improved, fines are down from £460 last season to £55 this, with three teams having none atall," Farms told the league's annual meeting at Spennymoor last week.

The three clubs with perfect administrative records are Bishop Auckland,Coundon & Leeholme and Willington.

Several players from the league played for the Durham County under-18 side which reached the final of the FA County Youth Cup. They were Michael Leighton, Adam Reid, Stephen Tobin (Chilton YC) and Stephen Howe (Willington).

The three cup finals associated with the league, all played at Spennymoor United's ground courtesy of the club, raised £255 for the Children's Ward at Bishop Auckland General Hospital. Willington won all three, the Lady Eden Hospital Cup, the South West Durham Presidents Cup and the League Cup, as well as reaching the final of the Durham County Youth Cup for the first time.

Bishop Auckland won the league title, beating runners-up Chilton 3-2 in a crucial final game after trailing 2-1 with ten minutes to go.

League officials were all re-elected: G Courtney, J B Hindmarch, G Nicholson, J Smart (vice presidents), D Staines (chairman), B Ayre (vice chairman), R Farms (secretary), D Robinson (treasurer), C Foote-Wood (press officer), J Bryan, R Curry, N Leighton (management committee)