Bedale could hardly have made a bigger impression during their first season in the Darlington Building Society NYSD League. Not only have their first team won Division Two but the Second team have carried off the Divison Four championship.

First team captain Mark Ellis said: "It has been a remarkable year for the club.

"We had ambitions to join the NYSD League for some time but they were only realised last winter when Stockton and Norton moved into the Foster's North East Premier League.

"Their departures left a couple of vacancies and we were over the moon to be admitted.

"We thought we could do reasonably well in the Second Division but we didn't think we would win the championship at the first attempt.

"The seconds also won their title which was the icing on the cake!" exclaimed Ellis.

Previously, Bedale operated in the York Senior League and Ellis believes that long journeys to places like Scarborough, Goole and York put members off playing.

"Essentially, we are a village club and the vast majority of members live in the Bedale area.

"Some players were not happy about being tied up all day but our away fixtures now are nearer home and I hope that more youngsters in particular, will stay with the club.

"One of our aims of moving into the NYSD League was to help us to keep juniors and also encourage other players to join us.

"It is particularly gratifying to think that four lads under 16 years of age

have all played regularly in the first team this season and participated. They have not been used simply to fill up the numbers, but to give them every chance of progressing.

"Guy Darwen has played for Yorkshire under-15 and Philip Holdsworth has been selected for Yorkshire under-14 and also represented the North of England at the same level."

Bedale's ambition now is to maintain their unbeaten record for the season

and next year to gain promotion into the Premier Division.

"I am fairly confident that we can hold a top-half-of-the-table place in Division One and who knows with a little luck, we might make it into the top flight.

"Our facilities are up to standard. We are part of the Bedale Athletic and

Sports Association and besides cricket, football, squash, tennis and tabletennis are all played at the complex.

"The club is geared up for the Premier Division and we will be going all out next season to fulfil our ambition," Ellis added.