Guiseley manager Steve Kittrick wants the Blue Square Bet Conference to look at the way they arrange the end-of-season play-offs.

Hyde gained the sole automatic promotion berth to the Conference from Blue Square Bet North but the Lions, who finished second 11 points clear of FC Halifax Town, had home advantage in the second leg of their play-off semi-final against Nuneaton Town, who finished fifth 13 points adrift.

However, because Guiseley’s home tie fell on a Sunday, whereas Nuneaton’s hosting of the first leg was on a Wednesday, Kittrick feels that any advantage went to the Midlanders.

He explained: “It is part-time football, and our lads have to get up at 6am and go to work, and probably knock off early in order to get the team coach to Nuneaton.

“We then play the game and the lads will probably get to bed at 2.30am.

“For the tie at our place, the Nuneaton players could finish work on the Friday, have Saturday to rest up and play the game on a Sunday afternoon before getting home not too late on the Sunday evening.

“Where is the advantage there in us staging the second leg at home?”

Kittrick was also frustrated that his team played nine games in March and another nine between the start of April and May 6 but only five in September and four in October when the weather was good enough to have played a sequence of Saturday and midweek fixtures, thus avoiding the almost inevitable backlog that occurs in the spring, caused not only by bad weather (waterlogging, frost or snow) but also by a club’s success in national or local cups.

He said: “We played too many games but why can’t we play more matches early in the autumn and really get into the season that way?

“At one point we were three matches behind Hyde and were playing catch-up after that.”

The Football Conference have confirmed that, barring any unforeseen issues, the fixtures for the 2012-13 season will be released to clubs on Monday, July 2, and shortly after that to the media.

The Blue Square Bet North and South divisions will start on Saturday, August 18, a week after the Conference proper, which will begin on Friday, August 10 with a match that will be shown live on the Premier Sports channel.

Following the resignations of Kettering and Darlington from the Football Conference, the Lions will tread new ground next season when they visit Southern League Premier Division play-off winners Oxford City and champions Brackley Town.

The other newcomers include old foes Bradford Park Avenue and Chester, who met Guiseley in a first-round FA Cup tie when the Cheshire club were still in the league.

The long journeys to Gloucester and Bishop’s Stortford remain, but at least a trip to the East Midlands has been retained as Hinckley United have been reprieved from relegation.

Blue Square Bet North clubs 2012-13: Altrincham, Bishop’s Stortford, Boston United, Brackley Town, Bradford Park Avenue, Chester, Colwyn Bay, Corby Town, Droylsden, FC Halifax Town, Gainsborough Trinity, Gloucester City, Guiseley, Harrogate Town, Hinckley United, Histon, Oxford City, Solihull Moors, Stalybridge Celtic, Vauxhall Motors, Worcester City, Workington.

Meanwhile, Guiseley have announced that they are retaining the same admission prices for the new season at £10 for adults and £6 for concessions.

There is also positive news for fans aged from 12 to 16, who can Nethermoor for the reduced price of £4, rather than the standard £6 concession price in place last season.

Under-12s will be able to watch for just £2.

Season ticket prices are as follows: Family ticket for two adults and two under-12s, £400. Family ticket for one adult and two under-12s, £235. Adult season ticket, £170. Senior season ticket, £100. Junior season ticket (ages 12-16), £70. Under-12s season ticket (must be accompanied by a paying Adult), £35.

The above prices cover entry to all league games at Guiseley AFC, as well as pre-season and youth academy fixtures.

For an extra £45, supporters can be guaranteed a matchday programme for all league and cup games.