BAY Athletic, one of the most successful teams in the West Riding County Amateur League, have folded.

The Huddersfield-based club, who joined the league in 1996 and have won the Premier Division seven times in the last ten seasons, including last season, have cited financial problems.

The league, which will be sponsored by Bradford-based Taylor's Timber Centre Ltd, have been awarded FA Full Step Seven status from the start of the 2015-16 season, and this has affected promotion and relegation.

Tyersal and Kirkburton, who finished in the bottom two places in the Premier Division, have been spared relegation as the facilities of Division One champions Wakefield City and second-placed Ventus Yeadon Celtic failed to meet the new required criteria.

Dudley Hill Rangers, who finished third in the second tier, have thus been elected to replace Bay.

The league's elevation has also proved to be a carrot for new clubs, with Newsome and Holmfirth Town, the top two in Huddersfield & District League Division One, and TVR United and Route One Rovers, the leading duo in the Spen Valley League Premier Division, being accepted into membership.

Meanwhile, Thornton United, who have been playing in the Bradford Sunday Alliance League, are also joining, having decided to add a Saturday side.

With Dudley Hill Rangers moving up, Newsome will take the extra vacancy in Division One, alongside newly-promoted Honley and Gildersome Spurs Old Boys.

The other four newcomers go into Division Two, and the new season begins on Saturday, August 15.

League constitution for 2015-2016 – Taylor’s Timber Premier Division: Campion, Dudley Hill Rangers, Golcar United, Halifax Irish, Huddersfield YMCA, Hunsworth, Kirkburton, Littletown, Lower Hopton, Ovenden West Riding, Salts, Steeton, Storthes Hall, Tyersal. Taylor’s Timber Division One: Campion Reserves, DRAM Community, Gildersome Spurs OB, Honley, Lepton Highlanders, Newsome, Overthorpe SC, Steeton Reserves, Thornes, Ventus Yeadon Celtic, Wakefield City, Westbrook YMCA, West Horton, Wibsey. Taylor’s Timber Division Two: Bradford, Golcar United Reserves, Holmfirth Town, Littletown Reserves, Lower Hopton Reserves, Ovenden West Riding Reserves, Route One Rovers, Salts Reserves, Storthes Hall Reserves, Thornton United, TVR United, Tyersal Reserves.