Northern League chairman Mike Amos revealed at the League's annual meeting that he may ask the management committee to call an extraordinary general meeting regarding the restructuring of the pyramid.

The Football Association is currently considering an overhaul of the pyramid system, and it is thought that the Conference will have two feeder leagues, north and south, and there is a possible knock on effect for the Northern League.

"They are giving nothing away," said Amos. "We believe further details are to be released at a three day seminar. The FA insists that it is a consultative document and not set in stone, which may sound familiar. We have protested in vain at being given such an important paper cold.

"It is possible that the because of the Northern League's geographical location the impact upon us may be slight. It's also possible something much more fundamental and far reaching may be in their minds."

Amos has also criticised the proposed new system of appointing referees, in which there is a real possibility that Northern League matches could be officiated by referees and linesmen from the opposite of the country.

"There are many implications, not least involving cost, but it is also a matter of real concern that the empire builders in the FA referees' department appear to have gained approval in principle for these proposals without any meaningful debate at FA Council level. We have been given, we suspect, a virtual fait accompli.

"It could, in some cases, be the straw that broke the camel's back, I have to say that they don't seem to care."

The draw for the first round of the Albany Northern League cup is: Whitley Bay v Easington, Hebburn v Horden, Shotton v Morpeth, Murton v Tow Law, Crook v Jarrow Roofing, Washington v Kennek Ryhope, Peterlee v Northallerton, Evenwood v Alnwick, Esh Winning v Willington

Second round: Esh Winning or Willington v Peterlee or Northallerton, Newcastle Blue Star v Prudhoe, Seaham v Ashington, Washington or Kennek Ryhope v Durham, Crook or Jarrow Roofing v Thornaby, Eppleton v Hebburn or Horden, Norton v Shotton or Morpeth, Whitley Bay or Easington v Chester-le-Street, Dunston v Billingham Synthonia, Penrith v Brandon, Shildon v West Auckland, Bedlington v Billingham Town, Whickham v Marske, Guisborough v Consett, Murton or Tow Law v Evenwood or Alnwick, South Shields v Washington Nissan.

The annual curtain raiser of the Northern League season, the Cleator Cup, will be between Bedlington and Dunston on Saturday August 11, at Bedlington.

The league programme starts on Saturday August 18.

First day's fixtures - Division One: Billingham Synthonia v Seaham Red Star, Brandon United v Marske United, Chester-le-Street v Whitley Bay, Dunston FB v Durham City, Guisborough Town v Consett, Jarrow Roofing v Bedlington Terriers, Morpeth Town v West Auckland Town, Peterlee Newtown v Billingham Town, Thornaby v Washington, Tow Law Town v Newcastle Blue Star.

Division Two: Alnwick Town v Easington Colliery, Crook Town v Whickham, Eppleton CW v Hebburn Town, Horden CW v Washington Nissan, Kennek Ryhope CA v Shotton Comrades, Northallerton Town v Prudhoe Town, Penrith v Norton, Shildon v Murton, South Shields v Evenwood Town, Willington v Esh Winning.

Washington Nissan, the champions of the Wearisde League, were promoted to the Second Division, which will now have 20 clubs.

Relegated Easington have appointed Tony Metcalfe as their new manager, to succeed Wilf Constantine, who was sacked last month. Paul Pringle will be his assistant.