Northern League secretary Tony Golightly has criticised clubs who have used ineligible players, writes RAY SIMPSON.

Seven clubs were deducted three points for using suspended or wrongly signed players in their teams last season - five in the First Division - and Golightly said in his annual report to clubs at last Saturday's annual meeting: "This should be avoided with a little care, and should not be happening in a league of our stature.

"I know of at least one club where the chairman has instructed his manager that no player will play a match until his eligibility has been cleared by Steve Rock, the league's registrations secretary, and if Steve has gone to a match on a Saturday afternoon then his manager cannot play a last minute signing until he is cleared. I think that it is sensible."

However, some clubs feel that a deduction of three points and a possible replay is harsh, although nobody suggested a rule change on Saturday.

The Northern League's constitution will remain unchanged next season after a meeting between the Northern League and its two feeder leagues, the Northern Alliance and Wearside League, just two days before the AGM.

There was an outside chance that the FA might have suggested that the Northern League should take their former members North Shields from the Wearside League and West Allotment from the Northern Alliance, but it appears an understanding has been reached over the required 50 per cent of clubs reaching the required ground standard which at the moment prevents a system of promotion and relegation to operate.

Northern League chairman Mike Amos said: "The general opinion was that the 50 per cent system is perfectly viable to keep in place.

"Both leagues said that they will try and reach the 50 per cent standard, and we will carry out inspections during next season."

There is pressure on the Northern League through the FA to operate some sort of system and forget about the 50 per cent requirement, but the Northern League have pointed out that the UniBond League has operated the same requirement with them.

And at the league AGM last Saturday, there were indications that relegation and promotion might operate at the end of next season.

Shildon's suggestion that clubs can operate a squad numbering system was thrown out by the League's AGM last Saturday.

Shildon wanted to introduce squad numbers just like the Conference, Football League and Premiership, but the idea was voted out by the club last Saturday.

However, any club who wears striped shirts must make sure that the numbers are mounted on a plain background to make recognition easier for fans, players and officials.

West Auckland's proposal that the league's two cup finals should be played at a neutral venue was passed, which will avoid a repetition of last season when Durham City played Shildon at New Ferens Park.

Spennymoor United are holding a fans' forum on Tuesday, June 11 in the Brewery Field clubhouse, beginning at 7.30. Manager Tony Lee and club officials will be present to answer questions from fans.

Terry Jackson has taken over as chairman of UniBond League club Bishop Auckland following the decision of Tony Duffy to stand down.

Jackson has been heavily involved in negotiations regarding the sale of Kingsway and the temporary move to Shildon, and Duffy feels that the time is right to move over.

The club's AGM also gave the board of directors their support in their future plans, which still involves the construction of a new ground at Tindale Crescent.

Meanwhile, Bishops are trying to arrange a friendly with Premiership club Bolton, possibly at Darlington's Feethams ground.

Bishops midfielder Jeff Smith moved to Bolton last year, and Bolton boss Sam Allardyce has agreed to bring a team to the North-East, assuming that a convenient date can be found.