The Albany Northern League

Clubs had until the middle of last month to inform the league that they would consider promotion to the next rung of the pyramid ladder if they finished in the top two and their ground was the required standard, but nobody formally notified the league.

Several clubs were thought to be considering an application, but for various reasons they have decided to wait another year at least.

Last season, Dunston Federation were the only club considering a move, but they later withdrew their application.

Northern League chairman Mike Amos said: "There are several possible reasons for this.

"It would be expensive for a club from this area to join the UniBond League, especially as there are no other clubs from our area in the First Division.

"There will also be a huge increase in the distances to be travelled for away games, so you have to take transport costs into account.

"Players also might not want to travel. We like to think that clubs and players want to stay in this league for the camaraderie."

Amos does think that an expanded Northern League, based on the eastern side of the Pennines, feeding into the UniBond Premier Division would be more feasible.

"I think that a league, under our administration, from the Humber northwards would benefit a lot of clubs."

Dunston secretary Bill Montagu revealed that his club decided they could not afford to take promotion to the UniBond League, at least for the time being.

He said: "We haven't applied because of the financial constraints.

"There is a lot of extra expense involved in playing in the UniBond League.

"Last season we said that we would be willing, but then withdrew the

application on those grounds.

"The main problem was travel. As well as the cost, we thought it would be difficult for players to commit themselves to midweek away games in the UniBond League, so maybe the playing staff would have to be radically changed.

"Our ultimate aim is to go higher in the pyramid, but geographically we're out on a limb in the North East.

"Teams around Leeds and Manchester have an advantage, while we have nearly 100 miles to travel before we reach Leeds.

"As soon as we're financially viable then we'll think about it. We believe that our ground is up to UniBond standard, it would then be a matter of achieving a top two position."

l ANL clubs have done well in the FA Cup this season, the four clubs reaching the last qualifying round all defeating a UniBond club on the way. Easington beat Whitby, Whitley Bay defeated Worksop and Gainsborough, Billingham Town knocked out Stalybridge while Bedlington Terriers thumped Accrington Stanley.

l Seaham Red Star manager Steve Smith has launched a search for new players. Seaham finished second to Bedlington last season after challenging for the title until the last fortnight, but this time round Seaham are just above mid-table.

Smith admits that his side cannot now launch another title challenge similar to last season, and said: "The best we can hope for is second, but if we can finish in the top six, then I'll be happy.

"We've discovered this season that opposing teams are really wound up against us, and sometimes we're not prepared for that.

"We've lost four out of our last five matches, so the players have to dig in.

"One or two don't want to play for the club, so I'm determined to move players out, and replace them."

l Whitley Bay manager Andy Gowens is delighted with the progress of the club as he celebrates a year in charge.

Gowens took over last November at Hillheads from David Styles when Whitley were bottom of the UniBond League First Division, and he just failed to keep them in the league.

After strengthening the squad during the summer, he now has set his sights on a good season in the league.

"To finish in the top six and win a cup of some sort would be a great achievement," he said.

Whitley went out of the cup at the fourth qualifying round at Barrow, and Gowens said: "We did really well to get that far, beating two UniBond League clubs on the way. But then it was disappointing not to go any further, because we didn't play well that day."

l The area's non-League clubs might feel the draught from the possible abolition of the transfer system by the EU. The system might have to be radically changed by the football authorities to fall into line with EU employment law, which could mean that players can walk out on clubs if they give a period of notice.

And while there are worries at the top level about super stars jumping from club to club at will for higher wages, there are also increasing worries at non-League level that contracted players will also be able to walk out and join another, without any transfer fee or compensation being paid.

The usual practice is agree a contract with a player, so that he cannot leave for any other club without some sort of recompense.

Spennymoor, for example, received a fee from Morecambe for the transfer of Brian Healy several years ago, as did Bishop Auckland from Weymouth for striker Dave Laws.

While the Northern League doesn't recognise transfer fees, players have been known to move from club to club for donations or compensation, while some players are on contract to safeguard them from approaches by clubs in other leagues.

But all that might stop if the EU have their way and in turn, that would cause financial chaos for non-League clubs, not just in the North East, but throughout the country.

If transfer fees aren't forthcoming - and subsequently sell-on and appearance clauses - then banks might be unwilling to allow clubs to go into the red, bearing in mind that players will be almost valueless.

A recent report by business analysts Deloitte Touche stated: "Players are listed as assets on a club's books.

So a bank then knows how much they are worth and roughly how much the club could get for them if they had to sell them if times got hard.

If that is wiped away, clubs will see their credit limit drastically lowered and find it nearly impossible to get loans from banks and building societies."

l There is some financial consolation for the four Northern League clubs who lost in the final qualifying round of the FA Cup last month.

Bedlington, Whitley Bay, Easington and Billingham Town will all receive £800 for winning their third qualifying round ties, on top of the £1100 from the first two qualifying rounds.

On top of the prize money, they are also entitled to £7,500 each which can be used for ground improvements.

Clubs wining in the second round of the FA Carlsberg Vase tomorrow - or next week, depending on the weather - will win £400 prize money.

l The final of this season's FA Vase takes place at Villa Park on Sunday May 6.