Northern Counties East clubs set to have four more league games (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Northern Counties East clubs set to have four more league games

6:00pm Thursday 7th June 2012 in Albion Sp By Ian Whiting

The Baris Northern Counties East League has released its proposed constitution for the 2012-13 season, following an FA Leagues Committee meeting last week, and it means four more games for clubs in both divisions.

The Premier and Division One were both 20 clubs strong last season but that will be increased to 22 in each tier next season.

If the changes are ratified at the league’s annual meeting next month, there will be a familiar look to the Premier Division, despite the additions.

Champions Retford United, runners-up Bridlington Town and third-placed Scarborough Athletic all failed to gain promotion to Evo-Stik Division One, either North or South.

The title winners were denied on ground grading, which means under certain circumstances a club finishing below them may be allowed promotion - but not this year.

Brighouse Town finished fourth. Bottom club Selby Town were relegated, while Glasshoughton Welfare and Worksop Parramore were promoted from Division One. The other club joining the top tier will be Derbyshire-based Heanor Town from the East Midlands Counties League.

Division One has four new clubs Athersley Recreation (from the Sheffield and Hallamshire County Senior League), Cleethorpes Town (Lincolnshire League), Clipstone Welfare (Central Midlands League) and Knaresborough Town (West Yorkshire League), plus relegated Selby Town.

The two clubs that were promoted were runners-up Glashoughton and third-placed Worksop because champions Handsworth were removed from the NCEL set-up due to ground issues.

Albion Sports just missed out as they ended their first campaign on the non-league ladder in fourth spot.

Basement outfit Appleby Frodingham were reprieved and keep their place in Division One.