Hambleton Ales Combination

At the league's annual meeting, it was announced four new teams will compete in the league next season.

Held at Northallerton Town FC club house, the Buck Inn, Northallerton, Ingleby Greenhow, Marne Dragons, Catterick and Vale of York Carlton Miniott were admitted to the league.

The meeting was also told Colborn Town of Division Two and Division One side Cowtons had withdrawn although Cowtons will retain their team in Division Three.

Two teams will change names with Wheatsheaf becoming Hutton Rudby and Thirsk Town RBL will be called Thirsk Town.

Next season Division One will have 12 teams while Divisions Two and Three will have 14.

The meeting decided that only one team, Topcliffe and Asenby, will be relegated from the top division and no sides will be relegated from the second division. Elders SC and Nags Head United were re-elected to Division Three while Three Coopers, Bedale, Royal Oak and North Yorks Unison were promoted to Division One. Brompton-on-Swale, Keldale, Town Hall Hotel and Oak Leaf move up to Division Two.

Presenting his annual report on the season, League Secretary David Watson complimented all club secretaries on their excellent record in dealing with on-pitch misdemeanours as not one club had to make a personal appearance at a discipline council meeting all season.

There had however, been an increase in reports of unruly behaviour by club supporters so Mr Watson reminded clubs that they were responsible for their supporters and could be disciplined by both by the league and the county association.

During the season, which was declared a success, the league supplied both finalists in the North Riding Sunday Challenge Cup including Osmotherley Rangers who reached the final for the first time. They won the trophy from former holders Robert Thompsons after a penalty shootout.

Mr Watson thanked all members of the league council for their work during the season, especially referee secretary Brian Garthwaite and registration secretary Glyn Neads. All existing officials of the league were re-elected.

The new season starts on Sunday, September 3 and the line-up for the three divisions will be:

Division One: Great Ayton Hibs, Hanson Sports SC, Kneeton Park, Masham, Northallerton Police, North Yorks Unison, Osmotherley Rangers, Robert Thompsons, Rountons, Royal Oak, Thirsk Albion, Three Coopers Bedale.

Division Two: Appleton Wiske, Blue Star, Brompton-on-Swale, Catterick Village, Durham Ox, Kildale, Northallerton Elders, Oak Leaf, Robert Thompsons Reserves, Skipton BS, Stokesley SC, Topcliffe, Town Hall Hotel, White Swan.

Division Three: Buck Inn Northallerton, Cowtons FC, Elders SC, Hutton Rudby, Ingleby Greenhow, Knayton, Marne Dragons, Nags Head United, Northallerton WMC, Romanby Park, Sinderby, Streetlam Farmers, Thirsk Town, Vale of York Carlton Miniott